New bill for carers presented to parliament

A new bill for carers focusing on health, employment and
life-long learning was announced, writes Amy
Taylor.

The private members bill, brought by Aberavon MP Hywel Francis
and entitled the Carers (Equal Opportunities) Bill, has
been presented to parliament and will have its second reading early
next month.

Welcoming the bill, Imelda Redmond, acting chief executive of
Carers UK, said the bill provided the opportunity to make further
progress in relation to carers’ rights and give them access
to the vital support they need.

“We have been campaigning for several years to strengthen
carers’ rights and the support available for carers. Progress has
been made but there is still much more to do,” Redmond said.

Meanwhile, the Princess Royal Trust for Carers and the Royal
College of Psychiatrists launched their new national Partners in
Care campaign to highlight the problems faced by carers of people
with mental health problems and learning difficulties.