CARERS WEEK 2008

Early day motion 1369, tabled 21 April 2008 by Anne Begg (Labour). Signed by 250 members.

That this House expresses its admiration for the six million people in the UK who provide unpaid help and support to a relative or friend, who because of frailty, illness or disability, would not otherwise be able to manage; notes that as a consequence of caring disproportionate numbers of people experience ill health, poverty and discrimination; is concerned that large numbers of carers are unknown to statutory agencies and therefore their health needs are often overlooked; further notes that Carers Week, a partnership of 10 national charities, takes place in 2008 from 9th to 15th June, with the theme `Carers can't afford to be ill'; believes that carers need to be viewed as key partners in community care and need health and social care provision that is accessible and flexible; and further notes that in the next two decades the UK will need substantially more carers.

Signatures by party: Labour 123, Conservative 56, Liberal Democrat 54, DUP 6, Independent 3, Social Democratic and Labour Party 3, Plaid Cymru 2, Scottish National Party 1, UKIP 1, UUP 1.