CARERS (EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES) ACT 2004
NEW RIGHTS FROM 1 APRIL 2005
I am delighted that the Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act 2004 is
being implemented and will start making a difference to the lives of carers in my
constituency.
There are over six million carers in the UK, who provide
essential support, saving the country £57 billion each year, equivalent to the cost of
the NHS. Every year over 2.3 million people become carers. Many of these
people remain unaware of the benefits and services that are available to them.
The new Act will help carers have a life outside caring, by
improving work and training opportunities and access to leisure. This is a really
important step towards ensuring that carers own health and well-being are given priority.
To help carers
find out about their rights Carers UK, with the support of British Gas and the Department
of Health, have produced a new booklet, Balancing Life and Caring. To order free copies of the booklet visit www.carersuk.org
or call 020 7566 7626. Alternatively, carers can write to me for more information.
Further
information on issues affecting carers can be found at the Carers UK website: www.carersuk.org
Other useful links: www.carers.gov.uk
Press release:
CARERS RIGHTS DAY 2004
I was delighted to support Carers UK’s fifth annual Carers
Rights Day on 3 December 2004. It is important that people who look after a sick or
disabled relative check that they are claiming all the benefits and services to which they
are entitled.
Research by Carers UK shows us that
carers’ own health can suffer as a result of the stresses of caring, so it is vital
that carers know their rights, to ensure that they get the benefits and support they need.
There are over six million carers in the UK, who provide
essential support, saving the country £57 billion each year, equivalent to the cost of
the NHS. Every year over 2.3 million people become carers. Many of these
people remain unaware of the benefits and services that are available to them.
It’s a real concern that carers in my constituency may
not be getting all the help they are entitled to. Carers need support – they
save the country a fortune and without them, the NHS and social care system would
collapse. Research has shown that carers often suffer from poor health themselves, and it
is vital that they are given information about their rights so that they get the support
they need.
It is vital
that carers claim the benefits that are rightfully theirs because Carer’s Allowance
can help protect basic state pension rights for carers under 65 and will help carers to
build up a second tier pension.
Carers can now
claim Carer’s Allowance online at: www.dwp.gov.uk/carersallowance/index.asp.
This has proved very popular with carers who have used it.
Carers can order a free Carers Rights Guide from Carers UK by
visiting www.carersuk.org, emailing carersrightsday@ukcarers.org, or calling
020 8880 8125. Alternatively, they can write to me for more information.
Further information on issues affecting carers can be found
at the Carers UK website: www.carersuk.org.
Other useful links:
www.carers.gov.uk
www.dwp.gov.uk
