Keetch adds support to campaign to ensure carers are aware of rights and entitlements

4.48.08pm GMT Tue 5th Dec 2006

West Midlands Liberal Democrats MP, Paul Keetch, has added his support to a national campaign running on Friday 8th December to ensure that carers are aware of their rights and entitlements. The campaign, run by Carers UK, seeks to increase the take-up of benefits and raise awareness of carers' rights and support that they might be able to get.

Paul Keetch said, "It is vital that carers claim the benefits to which they are entitled. We know that £740 million worth of carers' benefits go unclaimed each year and this could be providing vital income as well as protecting carers' pensions in retirement. Carers may also be missing out on practical support and advice."

There are over six million carers in the UK who provide essential support to family, friends and neighbours, saving the country £57 billion each year. People providing high levels of care are twice as likely to be permanently sick or disabled than non carers and many carers struggle to combine caring with paid work.

Paul Keetch added, "It is a real concern that carers in my constituency may not be getting all the help they are entitled to. Carers need support - they are fulfilling a vital role in society and without them the NHS and social care system would not be able to cope. It is vital that they are given information about their rights so that they get the support they need and do not live in poverty, risking their own health and future prospects."