UNPAID carers in Wales are being pushed to the brink by a system that fails to recognise, support, or uphold their basic legal rights, a Senedd report warned yesterday.

A new report from the Senedd’s Health and Social Care Committee (HSCC) details harrowing evidence from carers who described having to “beg” and “fight” for help.

Many said they had been caring for years without being identified as a carer by professionals, despite repeated contact with GP surgeries, hospitals and local authorities.

HSCC chairman Peter Fox said: “Carers are at breaking point. We were told how they must ‘beg’ and ‘fight’ for help, both for the people they care for and for themselves.

“For young carers in particular, the lack of support is restricting life opportunities.”

The report highlights that young carers are particularly vulnerable, with many providing care equivalent to a full-time job while juggling schoolwork, personal responsibilities and their own wellbeing.

Elektra Thomas is 15 and cares for her siblings. Her brother is autistic and non-verbal, and her sister has epilepsy.

“When it comes to my education, managing how I feel, how my brother and sister are, and then how anything education-wise is, it’s so difficult,” Ms Thomas said.

Mr Fox said: “In 2019, our predecessor committee called for strong, national focus and leadership, and prompt and decisive action.

“We urge the incoming Welsh government to accept these recommendations and to act swiftly.”

More than 310,000 people in Wales — that’s one in 11 — provide unpaid care, and as of March 2024, only 4,924 had a support plan.

Some carers reported waiting months for an assessment, with no services available at the end of the process, and a severe shortage of respite care opportunities across Wales.

The Welsh government said it values the vital role unpaid carers play and recognises the pressures many experience.

“Local authorities have their core funding to provide support for carers,” a spokesperson said.

“We are driving a programme of national improvement work and have provided a further £13 million this year to provide additional advice and wellbeing services for carers, short breaks and emergency financial assistance.

“We have also been consulting on a new draft national strategy to improve support for unpaid carers.”