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Tony Baldry meets with Prime Minister to discuss carers issues

6 May 2009

Tony Baldry today, 6th May, together with other officers of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Carers, had a meeting with the Prime Minister to discuss carers concerns.

"It was a positive and constructive meeting" said Tony Baldry afterwards. "The Prime Minister had obviously taken time and trouble to get fully briefed on the issues we wanted to raise, concerns about carers income, in particular the fact that there is no extra financial help for carers who are pensioners."

"Following my meeting with carers in Banbury, I particularly raised the issue of breaks for carers and respite care. It's good news that the government has allocated £150 million nationwide over the next two years. But this money isn't ring fenced and carers seem to be unclear and unsure how to access it."

"I think it's fair to say that the Prime Minister is determined that the money should go to carers and that Ministers will be monitoring PCTs across the country to see how they perform in funding and developing access to carers breaks for those who have responsibility for their loved ones."