More support for Newport’s unpaid carers will be a priority issue for the city council in the near future – after councillors warned their importance could not be underestimated.

The council said it wants to develop “consistent and sustainable” offers for carers, such as respite services that would allow them to take a break while their loved ones continue to receive support.

Cllr John Reynolds told a scrutiny committee meeting that if unpaid carers in Newport “downed tools tomorrow, it would bankrupt the city”.

“If it wasn’t for unpaid carers or the voluntary sector, our world would collapse,” added committee chairman Cllr Will Routley.

Head of adult services Myfanwy Moran said the issue would be “a real focus” in the next financial year.

Her comments came as the committee assessed the performance of the council’s adult service department in the 2025/26 financial year.

Ms Moran told members the department was being presented with cases involving “increased complexity of need” and also faced some workforce pressures.

She said the department continued to provide “safe and effective” services, but was also experiencing “sustained” demand in all areas, particularly with safeguarding and mental health matters.

On recruitment and staffing levels, Ms Moran believed “very confidently” there were no retention issues in the department, which includes workers employed there “for years and years”.