HC Deb 27 July 1988 vol 138 cc365-6W
Mr. John Marshall

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will be providing grant aid to the newly formed Carers National Association; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Currie

The merger of the Association of Carers and the National Council for Carers and their Elderly Dependents was effected on 14 May 1988 with the creation of the Carers National Association. We have today approved the award of a grant of £77,000 to the new organisation in the current financial year.

The Government have consistently recognised the essential work of carers in looking after disabled people at home, and have supported the proposals for a single national body to take a stronger lead in representing their interests to Government, and to assist and advise their members throughout the country.

We are particularly keen to see the development of support networks and groups, set up by carers and those working with them, and hope to see more of them in future.