MP INVITES SOLIHULL CARERS TO SHARE EXPERIENCES IN MAJOR INVESTIGATION ON FINANCIAL PENALTIES PAID BY UK CARERS

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 18th Dec 2006

Solihull's MP, Lorely Burt is inviting carers in her constituency to complete a Carers UK questionnaire as part of a major year-long study on the extra financial costs faced by the UK's six million carers.

The investigation, called 'A Fair Deal for Carers', will examine the state of carers' finances, quality of life, and how caring has affected their employment and income.

Lorely Burt MP said:

"I meet many constituents who feel strongly about carers' benefits and finances and this investigation provides a practical way for them to push for change.

"Critically, carers will be asked to help set the agenda for improvement themselves, and determine what factors would advance their situation, to help establish the most effective and appropriate support for them. The resulting work will be published in 2007.

"Previous research by Carers UK has indicated that carers suffer a heavy financial burden with their role. A third are struggling to pay utility bills and one in five are cutting back on food to make ends meet.

"There are still too many barriers in the system that prevent carers from accessing opportunities and fully participating in life and work. An improvement is vital as, with a rapidly ageing population, we will come to depend more and more on carers. With this investigation, Carers UK are aiming to take the voices of carers straight to Ministers."

The questionnaire can be accessed online at http://www.carersuk.org/Newsandcampaigns/Fairdeal.

Alternatively, hard copies can be ordered by emailing Christine.Swarbrick@carersuk.org (up to a maximum of 100).

The deadline for responses is 13th January 2007.