4-12-03

Barrett supports Carers’ Rights Day

John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, will tomorrow back the Carers UK "Carers' Rights Day", which aims to raise public awareness of carers and ensure greater take-up of the benefits to which carers are entitled.

There are more than 660,000 carers in Scotland, approximately one in 8 adults and according to Carers UK, carers save the national economy around £57 billion per year. However, many carers are unaware of the benefits to which they are entitled to and the extra support they can get.

Carers' Rights Day aims to highlight the importance of carers, to get more people to identify themselves as carers and to increase benefit take-up.

In a statement, John Barrett said:

"Carers are crucial to communities across Edinburgh and throughout the UK.  Without them, many voluntary groups would simply not be able to function properly. 

"Unfortunately, many carers are still unaware of the extra support that is available and extra financial benefits they can get.  Almost 60% of disability benefits go unclaimed which has a knock on for carer's benefits.  According to Carers Scotland, 7 out of 10 find themselves financially worse off after becoming a carer which is why Carers' Rights Day is so important."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

More information on Carers and Carers' Rights Day is available from Carers Scotland at www.carersonline.org.uk