Commons motion backs carers’ rights

December 5, 2002 in Carers, Children, Disability

MPs including shadow minister for work and pensions Oliver Heald
tabled an Early Day Motion in support of carers this week, to
highlight the need for more respite care.

The motion, to mark Carers’ Rights Day, followed a debate in
Westminster Hall on the inadequacy of the help available for
carers, particularly for those looking after patients with mental
health problems.

“Often, people are sent home too early,” Heald said. “This is a
great worry for their carers.”

The second annual Carers’ Rights Day was organised by charity
Carers UK to provide community care and benefits information to the
seven million people who look after sick or disabled relatives on
an unpaid basis.

Last year, Carers’ Rights Day led to a 12.5 per cent increase in
claims for the main carer benefit, invalid care allowance, in the
following quarter.