Carers (Hansard, 24 April 2002)

§ Jacqui Smith

The most recent estimates currently available of the number of carers, including young carers, are contained in the report on Informal Carers by the Office for National Statistics published in 1995. A copy of the report is available in the Library. Further data were collected in the 2000 General Household Survey whose results are currently being collated by ONS. I understand that their report is likely to be available shortly. A question to aid the identification of carers was included in the 2001 census.

Under section 17 of the Children Act social services departments can provide support and advice to young carers. We have prioritised services for young carers through the £885 million Quality Protects programme and the National Strategy for Carers.

The carers grant is £85 million this year and it will increase to £100 million in 2003–04 to ensure that more carers are able to receive breaks. We are consulting with external stakeholders on the Carers and Disabled Children (Vouchers) Regulations to be implemented this year. This will give local authorities power to issue vouchers for short term breaks. We are also revising the Hospital Discharge Workbook which gives guidance to the national health service, social services and other agencies on hospital discharge procedures. Improvements in GP computer systems completed at the end of March 2002 means that all GPs are able to record as part of patient record details whether a person is a carer. They are encouraged to do so in order to facilitate the process of sign-posting carers to relevant services. My hon. Friend may also find it useful to note the information about the support available to carers that I referred to in the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam (Mr. Burstow) on 9 July 2001, Official Report, columns 342–44W.