§ 28. Mr. Ivor Caplin (Hove)If he will make a statement about his Department's contribution to the national carers' strategy. [79756]
§ The Parliamentary Under"Secretary of State for Social Security (Mr. Hugh Bayley)The report of the national carers' strategy is an important document for all Government Departments. We are supporting the strategy's main aims and objectives in a number of ways.
§ Mr. CaplinI thank my hon. Friend for that reply. The strategy has been greatly welcomed by carers in my constituency. In particular they welcome seeing Departments working together. I seek my hon. Friend's assurance that Departments will continue to do so over many years so as to provide carers with what they need in our society.
§ Mr. BayleyMy hon. Friend makes an extremely important point. To provide the support that carers need requires a response not only from one Government Department but from many, and from local government and the health service. That is what the carers' strategy, "Caring about Carers", seeks to do. It is designed to provide a cross-Government response so that carers receive more help, and £140 million of additional Government money will back that strategy.