Ed Davey tells Andy Burnham to defy the whip and “back family carers”
EMBARGO: 22.30 10th June 2026
Ed Davey tells Andy Burnham to defy the whip and “back family carers”
Today (11th June), as part of Carers Week, Ed Davey will visit a group of young carers, as he calls for Burnham to prove he is “serious about social care” by backing a Lib Dem amendment to provide new support for carers.
Following repeated interventions by Andy Burnham on social care, Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has challenged the Labour frontrunner to “prove he’s serious about fixing care” by backing family carers, and voting for guaranteed respite breaks in the Government’s Health Bill.
The Liberal Democrat amendment put forward by Ed Davey and Lib Dem Care spokesperson, Alison Bennett, would ensure every family carer is entitled to guaranteed breaks. A vote on the amendment is expected in July, after the by-election, meaning if Burnham wins, he will vote on it.
The party has warned that the failure to support family carers is putting pressure on the NHS as people stop being able to look after an elderly or disabled loved one and have to put them in hospital. The party argues that the lack of breaks and support stops carers from being able to work or look after their own health. The party are also campaigning for paid carer’s leave at work- building on the entitlement to unpaid leave secured by Lib Dem MP, Wendy Chamberlain.
44% of carers say the person they care for experienced an emergency admission or unplanned visit to hospital in the last 12 months. 30% of carers say their physical health is bad or very bad.
Visiting a local carers group today, Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said:
“After looking after my mum as a teenager, and now caring for my son John, I know first-hand how rewarding caring can be – but also how tough it is. And I've spoken to millions of carers who feel forgotten and ignored.
“We need to change that. We are putting forward a new law to give every family carer a guaranteed break. If Andy Burnham is serious about fixing social care and the NHS, he should back our law and promise to vote for it if he’s elected in Makerfield.
“If Andy Burnham shows courage and gives us that backing, I have no doubt this amendment would become law. We will work constructively with anyone who takes care and carers seriously”
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
Amendment:
To move the following clause—
“National Respite Care Scheme
(1) Within six months of the passage of this Act, the Secretary of State must establish a National Respite Care Scheme.
(2) The scheme under subsection (1) must make provision for—
(a) a local authority carrying out a carer’s assessment under section 10 of the Care Act 2014 to be required to consider whether a carer is able to take sufficient breaks from their caring responsibilities.
(b) unpaid carers to receive support to take breaks from their caring responsibilities to—
(i) maintain their physical and mental health and emotional wellbeing,
(ii) participate in work, education, training or recreation, and
(iii) participate in family and community life.
(c) a carer to receive appropriate support if a local authority carrying out an assessment under subsection (2)(a) determines that a carer is unable to take sufficient breaks from caring
(3) Under subsection (2), “support” may include—
(a) replacement care for the cared-for person;
(b) respite services;
(c) any other steps a local authority considers appropriate as support.
(4) The Secretary of State must provide sufficient support to local authorities to ensure the scheme under subsection (1) is delivered in every local authority.
(5) For the purposes of this section, “carer” has the meaning given by section 10 of the Care Act 2014 and includes a young carer within the meaning of section 96 of the Children and Families Act 2014.”
Member’s explanatory statement: This amendment would require the Secretary of State to establish a National Respite Care Scheme.
Data on carer’s mental, physical health and hospital visits can be found here.
