The Liberal Democrats are calling on the government to raise the Carer's Allowance to £1,000 a year.

In Wiltshire, there are 4,827 unpaid carers in Wiltshire receiving Carer’s Allowance, according to government figures.

The proposals would see the Carer’s Allowance rise from £67.25 a week to £87.25 – in line with the £20 uplift to Universal Credit.

The Lib Dems are also calling for the 2,302 people entitled to Carer’s Allowance but do not receive it due to it overlapping with other benefits to also be given the extra £20 per week.

Cllr Clare Cape, joint Lib Dem spokesman for health and adult social care in Wiltshire said: “Unpaid carers in Wiltshire are doing a remarkable and important job in very difficult circumstances.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has added to the challenges that many of our carers face.

“Our wonderful carers deserve our support, but they are too often forgotten or ignored.

“Liberal Democrats will stand up for carers and lead the way to a more caring society.”

Party leader, Ed Davey has written to the Prime Minister urging him to recognise the 9 million carers across the country and the challenges they have faced.

He said: “Unpaid carers face big challenges every single day; challenges that have been made even harder by coronavirus.

“Many carers are facing extreme financial hardship. They have been struggling for months, often relying on food banks to feed themselves and the people they care for.

“So Liberal Democrats are calling on the government to support carers by raising Carer’s Allowance by £1,000 a year, now.”