LORELY BURT GETS BETTER DEAL FOR CARERS

12.01.28am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 20th Apr 2007

Solihull MP, Lorely Burt, has won a key victory for carers who would have been ineligible for carers' credits which enable carers to build credits towards a state pension.

Speaking at the Report Stage of the Pensions Bill, Mrs Burt supported an amendment to include carers who care for 20 or more hours a week but who would not qualify as the person they cared for did not receive a high enough level of disability benefit.

Lorely Burt said "Carers credit is for the person who cares and should not depend on the person being cared for."

Pensions Secretary, James Purnell, praised Mrs Burt and her efforts to see an estimated 40,000 carers included in who otherwise would have missed out.

"This is not a question of finance; it is a question of trying to find a way of getting people to self-certify and to get the qualification that they need." said Mr Purnell.

Mrs Burt added "Carers are the unsung heroines -and heroes - of this country. They deserve better than poverty in old age in return a lifetime of sacrifice."