MP Backs Campaign on Carers' Rights

3.18.58pm GMT Fri 8th Dec 2006

Julia Goldsworthy, Liberal Democrat MP for Falmouth and Camborne has added her support to a national campaign run by the charity Carers UK today (Friday 8th December) to ensure that carers are aware of their rights and entitlements.

Ms Goldsworthy today highlighted the staggering findings of a research by leading charity Carers UK which showed that 21,000 people in Cornwall face new caring responsibilities every year.

The same report also highlighted that many carers - people looking after relatives, friends and neighbours who are caring for disabled, chronically ill and frail relatives were missing out on benefits, practical support and information.

Julia Goldsworthy said:

"Every year, another 21,000 people in Cornwall take on a caring responsibility. These people deserve and are entitled to Carers Allowance, other benefits and help with housing costs. Despite this, £740m worth of carers' benefits go unclaimed every year in the UK and this could be providing vital income as well as protecting carers' pensions in retirement."

There are nearly 60,000 carers living in Cornwall and the 6 million carers nationwide save the country £57 billion each year.

People providing high levels of care are twice as likely to be permanently sick or disabled as non-carers and many carers struggle to combine caring with paid work.

Ms Goldsworthy added:

"It's a real concern that so many carers in my constituency are not receiving the support they are entitled to. In Carrick alone there are currently 10,000 carers and 11,000 in Kerrier."

"If carers do not get the financial and practical support they need, they suffer from a poor quality of life, cutting back on the essentials they need to get by, and paying a heavy price in terms of their own health and wellbeing."