What will a new MP do for carers?

Andrew Isom cares for his wife and said he should get more support from government

A full-time carer hopes whoever becomes his new MP will do more to support people in a similar position to him.

Andrew Isom in Barby, Northamptonshire, cares for his wife who is registered disabled with osteoporosis and degeneration of the spine.

The 59-year-old will have a new MP whoever wins, as Conservative Chris Heaton-Harris, who has held the Daventry seat since 2010, is standing down.

Mr Isom said he had "worked all my life and I get nothing" for being a carer.

'I save the country thousands'

The ex-prison officer said: "As a carer I get £30 a week [from] the government for caring for my wife full-time.

"I save the country thousands by doing it. I don't do it for the money, I do it because it's what you do."

He said he would like tell the candidates about being a carer and "see what they will do" to give him more support.

What do the candidates say?

The responses from the candidates for the Daventry seat are listed alphabetically by surname.

Stuart Andrew, Conservative Party

Stuart Andrew is standing for the Conservative Party in Daventry

We have increased the Carer's Allowance by almost £1,500 since 2010 and given employees who are also unpaid carers entitlement to a period of unpaid leave.

We are committed to supporting a high-quality and sustainable social care system, building on our additional investment of up to £8.6bn over the last two years.

We will attract and retain a high-quality care workforce, make reforms to shape the market for older people's housing and support unpaid carers.

We will implement our planned reforms to cap social care costs from October 2025.

Scott Cameron, Reform UK

Reform UK's candidate in Daventry is Scott Cameron

The support for [carers] will come from a mixed approach, not an empty promise.

We will raise the start point for income tax to £20,000, lifting seven million people out of tax and saving them £1,500.

A transferable marriage allowance of 25% lifts the earner to £25,000 tax free, further helping. Cutting energy taxes saves an extra £500, scrapping VAT on energy bills and lower fuel duty by 20p per litre all adds up quickly.

More efficient public services and lower costs for businesses makes it easier for them to afford and support the excellent Carers UK manifesto.

Jonathan Harris, Liberal Democrats

Jonathan Harris is standing for the Liberal Democrats in the Daventry constituency

The Liberal Democrats successfully introduced legislation last Spring 2023, which gave an estimated 2.4 million carers across the UK a statutory right to take five days of unpaid leave per year.

Our manifesto for this election goes further, setting out to give unpaid carers a fair deal so they get the support they so desperately need, including paid carer's leave and a statutory guarantee of regular respite breaks.

We want to go further by increasing Carer's Allowance and expanding eligibility for it.

Marianne Kimani, Labour Party

The Labour Party candidate in Daventry is Marianne Kimani

With my extensive experience in health and social care management, I recognise carers as our unsung heroes.

The Labour Party is committed to a significant overhaul of the social care sector, including substantial investments and a comprehensive review of the carers' allowance system.

We are dedicated to improving the social care workforce to ensure that carers receive professional support and much-needed respite.

Labour will also introduce legislation to secure free personal care for individuals over 65, benefitting those in need and providing crucial support for their carers.

Clare Slater, Green Party

Clare Slater is standing for the Green Party in Daventry

We understand that being a full-time carer for a loved one brings with it immense emotional and financial pressure. This is made worse with the lack of support from a social care system that is currently in crisis.

Green MPs would push for £20bn per year investment in adult social care to reverse the crisis, which would include free personal care for all who need it, relieving some of the pressure on unpaid carers.

Other measures will include increased pay rates and a career structure for carers to rebuild the care workforce.