SAVINGS to the NHS and local government services because of the work of carers have almost doubled across East Lancashire to £338 million in 14 years, it has been revealed.

A report from Carers UK predicts the dramatic rise in unpaid helpers’ efforts will continue as state support for the disabled, elderly and long-term sick declines.

The report comes as Healthwatch Lancashire chairman Mike Wedgeworth warns of the impact of Whitehall cuts on social care budgets across the county.

The Valuing Carers 2015 study reveals in Blackburn with Darwen borough there are 16,171 carers, up by 15.8 per cent from 2001.

They are saving public services £338 million a year compared with £174 million in 2001 – a rise of 94 per cent. Across the Lancashire County Council area, which includes Hyndburn, Burnley, Pendle, Ribble Valley, Rossendale and Chorley, the number of carers has risen to 138,038, up by 12.1 per cent since 2001.

Carers have meant annual savings to health and social care services have risen by 88.6 per cent since 2001.

Carers UK chief executive Heléna Herklots said: “Caring will touch all of our lives at some point, yet society and public services still haven’t grasped the extent to which our economy relies on the unpaid care provided by family and friends.

“At a time when carers should be getting more support, they are actually getting less. This is not only unacceptable but dangerously unsustainable. This must be a wake-up call for government ahead of Chancellor George Osborne’s Spending Review.”

Mr Wedgeworth said: “News that Four Seasons Health Care, with eight homes in Lancashire, is facing a cash crisis is one more indication that the Chancellor’s review could be disastrous for social care.

“Please, Chancellor, do not cut local government care spending to shreds.”

The report recommends next week’s review should address chronic underfunding of social care; improve financial support for carers; promote a carer-friendly NHS; and introduce a right to paid care leave.