EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR CARERS

Early day motion 602, tabled 10 February 2004 by Hywel Francis (Labour). Signed by 182 members.

That this House notes that seven million carers who look after family, partners or friends in need of help because they are ill, frail or have a disability do so unpaid; places on record the country's appreciation of their invaluable sacrifice, which is estimated at ú57 billion, the equivalent of the cost of the National Health Service; further notes the progress made in the last decade in advancing the status of carers through the enabling legislation of successive Conservative and Labour Governments and the National Carers Strategy; and welcomes all new efforts to achieve equal opportunities for carers, particularly in relation to their health and wellbeing, lifelong learning, work and leisure.

Signatures by party: Labour 120, Liberal Democrat 20, Conservative 19, Labour/Co-operative 7, DUP 5, Plaid Cymru 4, UUP 3, Scottish National Party 2, Independent Conservative 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.