Carers deserve recognition

2.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 9th Jun 2003

West Midlands Euro-MP and Rapporteur for the European Year of People with Disabilities 2003 Liz Lynne is highlighting the important contribution carers make during National Carer's Week.

There are 6 million recognised carers in the UK, although it is believed there is an additional 1 million "hidden" carers. National Carer's Week is an opportunity to recognise the role carer's play, as well as to pass information to the carers themselves.

On Tuesday, Liz will be welcoming the arrival of the European Year of People with Disabilities 2003 information bus in Birmingham, while on Thursday she will be speaking to carers themselves at a carer's drop in information day in Stratford upon Avon organised by the Warwickshire Learning Disabilities Partnership Board.

"Carers make a vast contribution to their families and the wider community, yet many work incredibly long hours for very little recognition. It is important we do not forget them. For this reason, I would support the introduction of a Strategy for Carers in England just as the Scottish Executive has introduced north of the border."

"More than a quarter of carers do not receive the benefits they are entitled to and many live below the poverty line. This is therefore an important week for carers themselves to learn about what opportunities are currently available to them."