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An MP who spoke at Carers UK's lobby of Parliament has tabled a motion in support of Carers Rights Day (05 December)
New research unveils extreme hardship amongst Scotland's unpaid carers
GMTV's money saving expert Martin Lewis has given his backing to Carers Rights Day.
25th November 2008
Carers UK has welcomed yesterday's announcement by the Chancellor Alistair Darling MP that all carers who are entitled to Carer's Allowance will receive an additional payment of £60. This is on top of the usual £10 Christmas Bonus which they will receive. The increase will be paid automatically in the New Year to all those who qualify.
Well over half of respondents to a brand new poll of adults in England carried out by the 'Right care, Right deal' campaign think that the social care system for older people is "depressing". 57% of people questioned were prepared to agree with that description, with 51% of respondents stating that social care for older people who need help is "confusing".
Carers Wales has been pushing the Welsh Assembly Government and Assembly Members to introduce new Welsh legislation to promote equality and wellbeing for carers. Yesterday the First Minister, Rhodri Morgan AM, confirmed that the government would be seeking powers "to provide support for carers by placing appropriate duties on public sector organisations". The LCO put forward earlier in the year by Helen Mary Jones AM and which received unanimous support in the Assembly, will provide a platform for the full government proposal.
Carers UK is delighted that USDAW is calling for radical reform of Carer’s Allowance. Caring can have a devastating impact on carers’ finances and one in five carers is forced to give up work, losing on average £11,000 in income.
Employers for Carers is launching today (Thursday 12th June) as a new national membership forum offering a range of support from information on good practice to training and consultancy.
Following lobbying by Carers UK, the Government has agreed to amend a new bill to ensure carers are listened to. The Health and Social Care Bill will create a new Care Quality Commission and the amendments will ensure it has regard to carers' views and consults them alongside service users.