As we mark Carers Week, I want to say a big thank you to all the carers across Newport East for their incredible and so often unsung contribution in our communities. There are around 490,000 carers in Wales, the highest proportion of carers of any nation in the UK. Many of these carers are unpaid, and juggle caring duties with holding down a job or childcare responsibilities. Carers save the Welsh economy over £8billion every year, but their value to the wellbeing of our society and the people they support day in day out is immeasurable.

The theme for Carers‘ Week this year is ‘Making Carers Visible’, which is particularly apt in these challenging times. The coronavirus pandemic has really highlighted how carers – including  are a lifeline to some of the most vulnerable people in our society, and they deserve our gratitude and recognition more than ever.

Thank you – Diolch