According Carers UK, half of all carers are cutting back on food to make ends meet. A study reveals that 52% of carers are making cut backs on food compared to 19% in 2007.

More than half of carers asked are now in debt as a result of caring, compared to a third last year and many carers said they were resorting to borrowing.

Nearly two thirds said they were spending their own income or savings to pay for care for the person they look after.

The Carers UK chief executive, said:  ‘Many struggle - day in, day out - to provide care for someone they love who is disabled or ill and have found they have no choice but to give up work in order to care.’

‘We must support them more and not force them into financial hardship as a result of their caring role.’

She also added: ‘There has never been a more important time to find out what financial help you might be entitled to.’

Carers from across the UK are planning on going to Parliament to lobby MPs and demand more help from the Government this week.