Special support should be given to young carers - Hughes
June 14, 2007 12:00 AM
Local MP Simon Hughes this week pledged himself to fight for more support to be given to carers, especially for those young carers who often have to give up part of their childhood to care for their parents, brothers or sisters.
In a letter to the chair of the Southwark carers forum, David Lebon, to mark carers week 2007, Mr Hughes said:
"Local figures estimate that there are over 25,000 carers in Southwark.
Without you and people like you, and your tireless efforts, our borough's health and social services would struggle even more to cope. I am clear that the efforts and priceless roles of carers in our community should be better recognised by central government.
"The government must in particular address the many problems facing the estimated 175,000 young carers, in Southwark and across the UK, many of whom are having their childhood effectively stolen from them.
"The government needs to review its carers strategy to ensure that funding is made available to local authorities properly to support disabled and chronically ill people, so that some of the burden is lifted from many of our carers."
ENDS
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