In Parliament

MP Draws Attention to the Carers Strategy 19 June 2008

Carers Strategy Launched

Jessica this week highlighted the Lauch of the Carers Strategy with a written question to the Minister. Carers Week, held in June every year, is an opportunity to remember the contribution that Carers make to their family and the community. It is a time to thank them for the hard work they do and highlight their cause.

Carers are Britain's unsung heroes. Dedicated carers around the country and here in Newport East play an important role in supporting elderly and disabled relatives and friends - but they also need support themselves.

But this year Carers Week hasn't just been about saying thanks. Labour has launched the new Carers Strategy. We want to put carers at the centre of family policy, and give them the recognition and status they deserve.

This Labour government has fought for carers. We introduced the Carers Allowance, every local authority now has an annual Carers Grant to support carers and we gave carers the right to request flexible working, making it easier for them to combine paid work with their caring responsibilities. But we need to do more.

With an ageing population the demand for care will go up. So there will be more carers having to balance work, childcare and caring for a parent. More older people caring for their partner whilst also looking after their grandchildren. More parents caring for disabled children and more children caring for their disabled parents.

I support the Carers Strategy which sets out clear actions to help carers today and in the future. Information and advice services for carers will be expanded; more skills and training opportunities and professionals who work with carers will get training too.

The NHS will trial annual health checks for carers, and look at ways for GPs to provide effective support to carers. And there will be more support for the growing number of young carers, both inside and outside school.

Perhaps the most important new announcement is about breaks.

No matter how much you love someone, caring around the clock can be exhausting. It can put real pressure on carers and families, and can even affect your health. A break, where someone else takes over caring for a while and gives carers time off, can make a huge difference. Carers deserve a life of their own, with opportunities to take part in activities separate from their caring role.

Last year, the government announced a massive expansion of short break services for families with disabled children. Now short breaks for carers of adults are being expanded too, significantly increasing the funding available from central government. These will be tailored to individual carers' needs to help them get time away from caring in the way that will make the most difference to their lives.

It's important that we thank carers for their dedication and commitment. But these new measures will help to make a real difference to carers' lives.

Download the National Carers Strategy from the Department of Health Website