Ministers Must Help Borders Carers Protect Their Futures

11.27.00am GMT Mon 30th Nov 2009

MP Michael Moore has called on Ministers to ensure that unpaid carers in the Borders are aware of the support that is available to help them plan for their futures.

Mr Moore was speaking ahead of Carers Rights Day 2009, an annual event that celebrates the contribution made by unpaid carers around the UK. This years event on 4 December is seeking to increase take-up of benefits and raise awareness of the pension protection support to which carers may be entitled.Michael Moore MP: Borders

Researchers at Leeds University have estimated that carers save the UK economy almost £90 billion every year. Despite this, many individuals looking after family members suffer reduced income and employment opportunities, with their commitment to care preventing them from taking on paid work.

Mr Moore is an active campaigner for greater support and recognition for carers.

Commenting, he said:

‘Census data shows that there are around 10,000 people in the Borders who care for friends or family members and it is essential that they are given information about their rights so they can get the support they need.

‘It is no exaggeration to say that our public services would be in crisis if the six million carers in the UK stopped their work and the fact that they may not be getting all the help they are entitled to is of great concern.

‘I am delighted to lend my support to Carers Rights Day 2009, and I hope that this important campaign will help more of my constituents who are dedicated to looking after someone to access greater levels of help and advice.’

Notes:

Figures from the 2001 Census revealed that 9172 people in the Borders were providing unpaid care to a friend or relative. Further information is available online at http://www.scrol.gov.uk/scrol/common/home.jsp.

To coincide with Carers Rights Day, Carers Scotland and Carers UK are publishing two new resources to help carers with advice, Caring about your pension and Looking after someone: A carer’s guide to rights and entitlements.

Carers can order them in a number of ways:

• Visit www.carerscotland.org

• Call Carers UK’s freephone hotline on 0808 808 7777

• Email adviceline@carersuk.org.

• Visit any Lloydspharmacy store. To find local stores visit www.loydspharmacy.com