§ Mr. O'HaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the most recent figures showing the number of people who are(a) carers and (b) receiving home care, in each of the regions covered by the new Regional Development Agencies in the age ranges (i) 0 to 8, (ii) 18 to 24, (iii) 25 to 50, (iv) 50 to 65, (v) 65 to 85 and (vi) 85 years and over. [88651]
§ Mr. HuttonInformation is not available for carers aged less than 8. However, the estimated number of carers aged 8 to 17 in Great Britain, for 1996, was between 19 and 51 thousand. The estimated number of adult informal carers in Great Britain is 5.7 millions. Information on the number of(a) adult informal carers for 1995, the latest year for which details are available and (b) the number of households receiving home help or home care, for a survey week in 1998, are given in the tables. The requested information is not available for the new Regional Development Agency areas or for the precise age groups requested.
In response to the National Carers' Strategy, a question is currently being tested for the 2001 Census. This will provide details of the number of carers for different geographical areas by age, and give the number of hours per week for which care is provided.
Table (a): Estimates of adults (aged 16 or more) who were carers, 1995, Great Britain Age group Estimates of those who were carers (millions) 16–29 0.7 30–44 1.2 45–64 2.6 65 and over 1.2 16 and over 5.7 Source:
1995 General Household Survey, mid-1995 population estimates
Table (b): Number of households receiving home help or home care services, for a survey week in September 1998, England Age group of oldest client in household Number of households Under 18 6,200 18–64 71,200 65–74 83,800 75–84 144,900 85 and over 139,800 All ages 445,900 Source:
Department of Health annual statistical return, HH1