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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Robert Booth Social affairs correspondent

English council bosses demand urgent help for ‘exhausted’ unpaid carers

Woman pushing older woman in wheelchair
ADASS is calling for a more universal system of care and a right to paid carers leave. Photograph: Ian Allenden/Alamy

Council bosses have said attempts to patch up the social care system have “run out of road” and are demanding urgent help for England’s “utterly exhausted” army of 4.7 million unpaid carers.

“Never in my professional career have I seen the adult care system so close to breaking point,” said Sarah McClinton, the outgoing president of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS), which commissions care services. “Millions of people are in pain or distress because they aren’t getting the care they need and family and friends picking up the pieces are being pushed to the edge.”

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