Carers Wales reaction to the Westminster Government’s National Strategy for Carers

Commenting on the strategy, Roz Williamson, Director of Carers Wales, expressed her disappointment that the opportunity to improve carers’ benefits has not been grasped. 
“We acknowledge that a full review of carers’ benefits has been promised. However we are disappointed that the Government has been unable to offer immediate financial help.  Many carers will be frustrated that they will have to wait again for the financial help they desperately need. We will be asking the Government to begin the review immediately.

We do however welcome the vision set out by this Strategy as it reflects what carers have told us.  Carers should have a life of their own, should not be forced into financial hardship and should be treated with dignity and respect.

Carers in Wales want better services for the people they look after, time off from caring and information and support. We hope that any additional funding that comes to Wales as a result of this new strategy, will be used to make lasting improvements in the lives of the 350,000 carers in Wales. “ 

At the Carers Week event held yesterday (10th July 2008 ) at the National Assembly for Wales, the Deputy Minister for Social Services, Gwenda Thomas AM ; Helen Mary Jones AM and Jenny Randerson AM all pledged greater support for carers.

Carers Wales looks forward to the successful progress of a legislative competence order on carers that will promote the equality and well-being of carers, based proposals put forward earlier in the year by Helen Mary Jones AM.

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Notes to editors

1. Carers Wales is part of Carers UK which is the leading campaigning, policy and information organisation of and for carers. Carers UK continues to make a difference to carers' lives by: campaigning for a better deal for carers; informing carers of their rights and what help is available; training and advising professionals who work with carers; working across the UK through its membership and networks of branches and affiliates. For more information, visit www.carersuk.org or for advice on your caring situation call CarersLine on T. 0808 808 7777.

2.   The measures announced in the Strategy add up to over £255 million. The Strategy
can be downloaded from http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Policyandguidance/SocialCare/Deliveringadultsocialcare/Carers/NewDealforCarers/index.htm

3. There are 6 million carers in the UK. The value of the unpaid care they provide is 
      £87 billion each year. 4.4 million carers are of working age and 2.5 million of
 them combine caring with paid work.

4. 460,000 carers receive Carer’s Allowance which is £50.55 for a minimum of 35
hours caring per week. If a carer earns more than £95 per week or studies for more
than 21 hours per week they can no longer receive Carer’s Allowance.

5.   Carers UK’s Real Change not Short Change campaign is calling on Government to
radically overhaul the benefits system for carers. Carers UK research found that thee-quarters of carers are worse off since becoming a carer and many go without essential items. Visit www.carersuk.org

6.   The Welsh Assembly Government is pledged to introduce legslation to improve the rights of carers. Helen Mary Jones AM was won unanimous support in February 2008 for her proposed LCO on carers. She is currently working with the Carers’ Champion, Gwenda Thomas AM , the Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services,  to confirm the details of the proposals to go before the Assembly this summer. Visit www.carerswales.org for more details.