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Carers UK welcomes Carers Action Plan but says pressure is now on for social care green paper

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Carers UK today welcomed the publication of the cross Government Carers Action Plan for England saying that it provided some positive short term measures to support carers, but that carers would be disappointed that it did not go further to recommend or deliver any additional financial support for carers. The Action Plan is designed to deliver activity for carers across Government over the next two years ahead of the Green Paper on social care, due to be published this summer.

Heléna Herklots CBE, Chief Executive of Carers UK said,

“Thousands of carers shared their experience to inform the development of this Action Plan, reflecting the strength of feeling among carers that much more support is needed. The publication of the Action Plan provides welcome recognition from across Government of the need to put in place practical measures now to improve support for carers.

It includes several measures that we have specifically called for, including; a review of dedicated employment rights for carers; an innovations fund to develop new ways to reach carers with information earlier; and training for NHS staff to better support carers. We will do all that we can to ensure that these positive measures are taken forward.

However, we are very disappointed that the Action Plan does not commit to further financial support for carers. With the cuts to local government funding and services, support to carers has never been more important. The Plan raises greater expectations for more far reaching proposals on the funding and support provided to families and friends who care, as part of the forthcoming Green Paper on social care. We will continue to press the Government to make sure that the Green Paper brings the wider changes to our social security, employment, and health and care systems that carers need.”

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