Responding to the Adjournment Debate on the potential merits of a cross-Government carers strategy, which took place in the House of Commons on Tuesday 3rd September, Helen Walker, Chief Executive at Carers UK, said:
“We are grateful to Wendy Chamberlain, Member of Parliament for North East Fife, for securing this crucial debate early on in this Parliament.
“The MPs who spoke in the debate set out a compelling case for the creation of a new National Carers Strategy, which Carers UK and carers themselves have long called for. We agree that such a strategy should be co-designed with carers, sponsored at the highest level of Government, and engage all departments which have responsibility towards unpaid carers.
“A National Carers Strategy should be a high priority for the new Government. We thank the Minister of State for Care, Stephen Kinnock MP, who responded on its behalf, for acknowledging these calls, and more widely, for recognising the enormous contribution unpaid carers make.
“It is good to hear that the Government is committed to ensuring families have the support they need, to taking the steps needed to build a National Care Service, and to offer robust workplace rights for those juggling work and care – this should include examining all the benefits of introducing paid Carer’s Leave and incorporating carers within the NHS 10-year plan.
“We were also pleased to see the Minister speak about the importance of carers’ breaks and the work the Government is doing to address the devastating cases of Carer’s Allowance overpayments. We look forward to hearing further proposals for improvement as a matter of urgency.
“Shortly before the general election, the then shadow Minister for Care, Andrew Gwynne MP, committed Labour to developing a new Carers Strategy if his party formed the next Government. With millions of carers under significant pressure due to their caring roles and a “broken” health and social care system, we very much hope the Government will keep its commitment to provide them with the support they desperately need.”