Labour fails those who care in North Somerset

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 28th May 2003

The Government must deliver on its unfulfilled promise of a fund to support carers, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman for Woodspring Councillor Mike Bell said today, after Census figures revealed that North Somerset is near the top of the South West league of unpaid carers.

The new Census figures reveal:

• There are 19,400 unpaid carers in North Somerset, 3,500 of whom provide in excess of 50 hours care per week.

• More than 10% of the population of North Somerset are voluntary carers.

Data from the Carers UK report "Without Us" has shown:

• In 2002 the value of carers' support in the South West was £4.5billion, but yet many carers are unaware of the benefits and support to which they are entitled.

Commenting, Lib Dem Mike Bell said:

"Unpaid carers, usually family members, are the foundation on which the whole care system stands. Without them, the NHS and Social Services would face collapse and many local voluntary organisations would struggle

"Recognising their value, and the difficulties carers face, Labour made a manifesto commitment to create a fund to support carers. Yet after six years in Government they have still failed to deliver on this promise.

"With more and more councils facing budget restrictions, the burden is falling even more heavily on families. In North Somerset, many people care for relatives themselves, partly because of strong bonds of family and community and partly because, with many on low incomes, local people cannot afford to employ a professional carer. Many people have to give up full-time work in order to care for friends or relatives. This can force them closer to the poverty line.

"Carers are all too often under valued, overlooked and overloaded. Unless that changes, the Government will lose their goodwill and entire communities will lose out."