Tom Brake Recognizes the Role of Sutton Carers

7.58.38pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 12th Dec 2006

Tom Brake and Paul Burstow are seen here with Karen Page, Carers Services Manager at Sutton Carers’ Centre

Tom Brake, MP for Carshalton and Wallington, has joined other MPs in highlighting the new research by leading charity Carers UK which demonstrated that a staggering 5967 people face new caring responsibilities in Sutton each year. A similar number cease caring every year.

To draw attention to this research and to open the Carers Rights shop, he will be in Sutton tomorrow for Carers Rights Day in the empty shop next to Next in Times Square at 10am.

The research is released to mark Carers Rights Day tomorrow - a national day of action organised by Carers UK to raise awareness of carers' rights and entitlements.

The same report also highlighted that many carers - people looking after relatives, friends and neighbours who are caring for disabled, chronically ill and frail relatives were missing out on benefits, practical support and information.

The report also showed that 65 per cent did not recognise themselves as carers in the first year of caring: for a third (32 per cent) recognition took over five years. As a consequence, one in three (33 per cent) believed they had missed out on benefits and pension entitlements, the majority (58 per cent) for over three years.

Mr Brake noted that "carers need all the help they can get. If they do not receive appropriate financial and practical support they suffer from a poor quality of life, cutting back on the essentials they need to get by, and paying a heavy price in terms of their own health and wellbeing. Too many people have too little information regarding what a carer is and what they do. And yet, carers save the economy £57 billion each year."

Mr Brake went on to indicate that there is obligation for carers "to know about their rights and entitlements, from family and friends, the general public, to employers, local authorities and health bodies. "

Mr Brake encourages any of his constituents who are interested in Carers Rights Day or who would like to find out more about carers and their responsibilities to visit www.carersuk.org/carersrightsday