Six million carers in the UK deserve recognition and respite - Liz Lynne

4.24.45pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 15th Jun 2010

Liz Lynne MEP has welcomed assurances from EU Commissioner Laszlo Andor that he is preparing a green paper on social care

LibDem Euro MP Liz Lynne has highlighted the £87 billion contribution to the economy made by Britain's six million unpaid carers to mark this year's Carers' Week, which occurs just before the Coalition Government's first Emergency Budget.

The West Midlands MEP is a strong supporter of Carers Week, which is run by an alliance of charities campaigning for a better deal for people looking after loved ones who are ill, frail or disabled. A record 12,000 local events have been organised as part of this year's event, the tenth Carers Week, which runs until Friday June 18th.

Liz Lynne MEP, First Vice President of the Employment and Social Affairs Committee in the European Parliament and Co-Chair of the Intergroup on Ageing has long campaigned on care issues. Speaking at the European Parliament in Strasbourg today, Liz Lynne said:

"Given the current concern over the deficit, this year's Carers Week highlights the enormous saving for the British economy earned by the hard work of six million unpaid carers, estimated to be £87 billion a year.

"But I am glad to see that the former Carers Week ambassador, Lib Dem MP Paul Burstow, has been given the job of Care Services Minister by the new Coalition Government.

"His pledge that the new government will improve support for carers is welcome, with real help to allow carers to have more of a life outside their caring role, personal budgets and assistance to get into part time employment."

"In the EU, I am hopeful that the Green Paper on Long Term Care recently pledged by Employment and Social Affairs Commissioner Laszlo Andor will highlight best practice on ways to help unpaid carers that so many millions of people rely on.

"I want the EU to produce guidelines on a code of conduct that Member States can sign up to on minimum quality standards in long term care. This is a question of human rights."

"For too long, Britain and other EU member states have failed to adequately address the needs of carers and address the widespread abuse suffered by many in the care system."

ENDS

Note to editors: A detailed list of local Carers Week events in every town and village can be found online using the search engine at http://www.carersweek.org/newsroom_page.asp?id=45

Carers Week is organised by ten leading charities including Carers UK, Macmillan Cancer Support, the Multiple Sclerosis Society and Counsel & Care. Many smaller organisations are participating in events locally. Over 1.3 million carers are over 65 and 1.25 million people spending over 50 hours a week on their caring responsibilities.