CARERS RIGHTS DAY

Early day motion 111, tabled 4 December 2008 by Hywel Francis (Labour). Signed by 93 members.

That this House welcomes the Carers UK lobby of parliament on 4 December 2008 and National Carers Rights Day on 5 December 2008; recognises the commitment and sacrifices of six million unpaid carers; draws attention to the new report Carers in Crisis which shows that carers are struggling financially in the present economic climate with 65 per cent. living in fuel poverty, 52 per cent. cutting back on food and 54 per cent. in debt; notes that Carer's Allowance is still only £50.55 per week and that the Work and Pensions Select Committee has called for an urgent overhaul of carers' benefits; and calls on the Government to publish a plan and timetable for ensuring that its 2018 vision that no carer falls into financial hardship because of their caring role, as promised in the National Carers Strategy, becomes a reality.

Signatures by party: Labour 52, Liberal Democrat 23, Conservative 5, DUP 5, Plaid Cymru 3, Scottish National Party 2, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, Independent 1.