Local MP backs Carers Strategy and calls for more help for working carers

"Carers are Britain’s unsung heroes" says local MP, Stephen Ladyman. "Dedicated carers around the country and here in South Thanet play a vital role in supporting elderly and disabled relatives and friends. I hope the new Carers Strategy will be a big step forward for them."

Carers Week, held in June every year, is an opportunity to thank carers for the hard work they do and highlight their cause. This year it has co-incided with the Government's launch of a new Carers Strategy.

At an event in Parliament, organised by USDAW to highlight the need for support for working carers, Stephen Ladyman said:

"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 people 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 as it sets out action for the carers of today and tomorrow. There will be more information and advice services for carers will be expanded. Along with skills, training opportunities for carers will be expanded – and professionals who work with carers will get training too."

The Carers Strategy included an announcement that the NHS will trial annual health checks for carers, and look at ways for GPs to support carers better. 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.  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 love and commitment. But these new measures will help to make a real difference to carers’ lives and I will support them in South Thanet. However, we also now need to think how we can do more to support working carers, people like the USDAW members I met today in Parliament who mix a full working life with their caring role. They told me how caring can be like snakes and ladders, sometimes you are up and sometimes you are down. Thats why we need to ensure working carers have a right to flexible hours and that employers and the tax credits system recognises the positive role that carers play in our society so that carers can cope with the snakes as well as the ladders."

Note to editors:  Photos show Stephen Ladyman, MP for South Thanet, and John Hannett, General Secretary of USDAW with members of USDAW who are working carers. The photograph was taken in the House of Commons.