It is an inescapable fact that most people who care for others are under-recognised, under-resourced, under-supported and undervalued in our society. Yet there are 480,000 people in Scotland who care - without pay - for a family member, partner or friend who may be frail, ill or disabled, and 115,000 of those care for more than 50 hours a week, and their numbers are increasing.

People with caring responsibilities are often forced to give up paid work, only to work even longer hours without pay, and in great isolation. Many care for years without adequate support and respite breaks, suffering ill health and poverty as a result.

Despite the invaluable contribution family carers make to the social economy and fabric of this country, their work remains largely hidden.

Unpaid carers are the pillars of Scotland's community care system. They contribute an estimated £5.3bn-worth of care to the Scottish economy every year - more than half the entire budget of Scotland's NHS.

Scotland's Carers Manifesto 2007 sets out a clear investment agenda to recognise and support the role carers play in society because more of the same will simply not work and because our population is ageing and the demand for family carers is increasing. Scotland must invest to support family care in the same way we have invested in the NHS and medical care.

We welcome the Chancellor's recent statement: "Every one of the carers I have met is an inspiration and refutes a widespread cynicism that in today's society selfishness matters more than service to others. Having listened to their stories and the challenges they face, I know we have not done enough in recent years to recognise and support the carers in our society, and I know we must do more in the years to come."

The Scottish Executive's own report, Care 21: The Future of Unpaid Care in Scotland, and Scotland's 2007 Carers Manifesto, set out what needs to be done.

Carers are carefully examining election pledges and party commitments. May's elections and the subsequent Spending Review present the perfect opportunity to deliver better support for carers and, ultimately, a better quality of life for those they support.

Carers Scotland; The Coalition of Carers in Scotland; Crossroads Caring Scotland; The Princess Royal Trust for Carers; The Scottish Young Carers Services Alliance; Shared Care Scotland; John Amabile; Craig Hill; Tony Roper; Colin Williams OBE, chairperson, West Dunbartonshire Carers Centre; Andrew Robertson OBE, trustee, The Princess Royal Trust for Carers; Lady Cullen of Whitekirk.