Government launches help for carers

12 Jun 08
Carers have welcomed a ten-year government programme to support those looking after elderly or disabled relatives, but warned that it did not do enough to help the many carers living on benefits.

13 June 2008

Carers have welcomed a ten-year government programme to support those looking after elderly or disabled relatives, but warned that it did not do enough to help the many carers living on benefits.

The strategy, launched during this year's Carers' Week, will be backed by £255m of new money, including £150m over two years to fund respite breaks for carers and £38m to help them get paid work.

Imelda Redmond, chief executive of Carers UK, said the programme, which also aims to provide support for young people caring for adults, was 'an important step forward'. But she added: 'We are disappointed that there is no immediate financial help for the hundreds of thousands of carers… on benefits.'

Caroline Marsh, joint carers' lead at the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services, welcomed the plans but warned that more funding would be needed in the long term.

Launching the strategy on June 10, health minister Ivan Lewis said: 'In the next decade, elder care will be the new childcare and it is essential our policies properly meet the scale of the challenge.'

 

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