Gordon Welcomes New Support for Carers
BLACKPOOL MP WELCOMES NEW SUPPORT FOR CARERS
Blackpool South MP Gordon
Marsden today welcomed new Government measures to improve support and services for carers
and the launch of a country-wide consultation on the new Carers Strategy. The New Deal for
Carers includes a range of measures designed to recognise the essential work that carers
carry out across the country, including:
- £25 million to be spent on providing short-term home based respite care for carers in crisis or emergency situations in every council
- £3 million towards the establishment of a national advice and information service for carers
- £5 million to support the development of a training programme for carers
- A wide ranging review of the 1999 national carers strategy
Mr Marsden said, ‘Millions of people in this country are
hidden heroes who keep families together through their support and devotion. There
are some 725,000 carers in the North West providing unpaid care, looking after an ill,
frail or disabled family member, friend of partner. The carers in Blackpool often
provide care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, taking on that precious role that enables a
friend or family member to stay at home and live with the dignity, independence and security
the rest of us take for granted.
‘I am delighted that Government has
recognised the contribution that carers make to society with the New Deal for Carers and
has allocated additional funding to support them. Blackpool Council will receive
£89,000 to provide emergency support which will give carers peace of mind and
ensure that they look after their own health and wellbeing. I am also very
pleased that the nationwide consultation on the new Carers Strategy will ensure
that carers’ voices are heard at the heart of Government.’
