For 13 years, I have cared for my lovely 101-year-old adoptive mum who requires round-the-clock care. I feel blessed to care for her and have no regrets. But love does not pay the bills.

Carer’s allowance is £86.45 a week for 2026-27. Spread across 168 hours, that is roughly 51p an hour. As a sole carer, I have no downtime. I still work part-time as a self-employed therapist when Mum’s health allows, but when she is poorly, my work stops while the bills continue.

I do not claim carer’s allowance as the frequent paperwork required to report changes in my self-employed earnings is difficult to manage alongside my caring responsibilities.

Last winter, our electricity bill exceeded £400 a month because Mum needs heating round the clock. This is the reality of caring in a cost of living crisis. I worked hard to buy and pay off my own home. But it had no downstairs bedroom or bathroom, and was unsuitable for Mum. I had to rent it out, hoping one day to live there.…