July 2008
I was very pleased to speak at an event in Port Talbot last week which is close to my heart. The Aberavon Labour Party organised an open public forum on carers which was attended by a large number of carers. It was good timing because the Prime Minister recently launched his new National Carers' Strategy. Carers are those who look after loved-ones, such as disabled children or elderly parents, and do so unpaid.
I have recently campaigned successfully on ensuring that the next Census continues to carry the question 'Are you a carer?' This was important for the 2001 Census because from that we were able to know that there are 6 million carers in the UK, nearly 20,000 of whom are in Neath Port Talbot. Locally the Carers Action Movement led the successful campaign to get a Carers' Champion in the Welsh Assembly Government. This was recognised by our own Aberavon AM Dr Brian Gibbons when he was Health Minister and our own local Neath AM, Mrs Gwenda Thomas currently holds that responsibility.
I was pleased that carers at the meeting welcomed the Government's proposals which cover England: I am confident from what Mrs Thomas has said recently Wales will not be far behind.
The headline news around the Strategy was that £150 million more will be available for respite care; a training programme for carers and greater encouragement of joint work between local authorities and carers organisations, encouraged by a significant increase in the carers' grant.
There will also be better health checks (including emotional support) for carers, training of GPs to give them better understanding of carers' needs and awareness raising campaigns amongst employers. The Strategy will also help carers return to work through a range of strategies including flexible learning opportunities. I am delighted that locally Corus is already developing a strategy for carers.
And perhaps most important of all, there will be better support for young carers with £6 million of funding to provide for example joined up support around the family and awareness raising in schools.
But there is still more to do. I agree with Carers UK that more should be done to improve carers' benefits and I am pleased the Strategy has promised a review. For information on carers' rights and any other constituency matter please contact me.
