An increase in the carers allowance to the level of the basic state pension has been called for by MPs in a move timed to draw attention to Carers Week.

The early day motion, which is being put by Labour MP Bill Tynan, proposes to raise carers allowance from £44.35 a week to £79.60.

Carers charities warned that more needed to be done to protect the health of carers. Failure to do so could leave the NHS unable to cope with the consequences - UK carers save the government £57bn a year.

Almost half of 1,000 carers surveyed by the Princess Royal Trust for Carers said they had health problems. More than one-third of the carers also said they had depression.

The four charities supporting Carers Week - Carers UK, Crossroads Caring for Carers, the MS Society and the Princess Royal Trust for Carers - are writing to primary care trusts urging them to improve the services they provide for carers.

- Carers Week survey from www.carersweek.org and the Princess Royal Trust for Carers survey from www.carers.org