Funding for carers’ grants announced

An extra £60 million of funding for carers’ grants
was announced by health minister Stephen Ladyman today,
writes Clare Jerrom.

A total of £185 million will be allocated to local
authorities in 2005-6 to enable them to support the estimated five
million carers in England.

Ladyman told the National Family Carers Network Conference:
“Carers say that being able to take breaks from caring is the
most effective way to support them and enable them to continue
caring.”

He also confirmed the carers’ grant, which was introduced
in 1999, will continue at this level until at least 2008.