 |
 |
 |
 |
Royal Assent for Carers Bill
July 23, 2004 12:00 AM
Paul Burstow MP for Sutton and Cheam has welcomed news that the Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act received Royal Assent today. The new legislation strengthens support for carers and guarantees that carers are able to take up opportunities which those without caring commitments take for granted.
The Act, sponsored by Paul Burstow MP for Sutton and Cheam, will expand the rights and opportunities of Suttons 16,000 carers' - many of whom fail to recognise themselves as carers and claim the support owed to them. Sutton carers save the local economy £143 million a year, with 1 in 5 providing 50 hours or more of care a week.
The Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act will provide a firm foundation for better practice by both Sutton council and the NHS. The Act provides all councils with the appropriate means to promote better cooperation between councils and the health services. This will mean less duplication of work by social services and more focus on the needs of individual carers in Sutton.
The Act will deliver genuine changes for Sutton's carers by placing a duty on the council to inform carers of their existing rights and extend those rights to consider carers' wishes to combine normal everyday activities like work and hobbies with caring.
Commenting on the Act, Mr Burstow said:
"Without carers the NHS and social services would collapse under the extra work. The Act will help to insure that carers get the help they need when they need it. Too often carers are left to cope until they collapse or there is a crisis. It is time that carers were given the recognition and practical support they need to carry on caring."
"This Act can make a vital difference to the health and well-being of carers, particularly among the young and old who are vulnerable in their own right. In terms of educational opportunities the Act will provide vital support, especially given that 9,000 children across the country between the ages of 5 and 15 provide 50 hours of care or more a week."
What would you like to do next?
-
Subscribe for updates
Follow the party's activity on...
- Twitter:
- Liberal Democrats
- Facebook:
- Liberal Democrats
- YouTube:
- Liberal Democrats