Angela Crawley MP has today pledged her support for carers by backing this year’s Carers Week awareness campaign.
Carers Week 2020 runs from the 8th until the 14th of June and raises awareness of caring, highlighting the challenges carers face and recognises the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK.
The campaign is brought to life by thousands of individuals and organisations who organise activities and events across the country, drawing attention to just how important caring is.
This year’s theme is Making Caring Visible and follows an additional 4.5 million people becoming carers since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic,
In recognition of the additional pressure that carers are currently under, the Scottish Government is making a Coronavirus Carer’s Allowance Supplement payment later this month.
This one-off payment is in addition to the regular six-monthly Carer’s Allowance Supplement. As a result, eligible carers will get a payment of at least £460.20 and will receive the payment from Friday 26 June.
Commenting, Angela said:
“As a former carer, I understand the challenges that people have to overcome to provide support for relatives and with often little or no recognition for the important work they carry-out.
“Carers Week is a vital annual event to highlight the irreplaceable contribution unpaid carers make across the country, and is especially important this year, as carers continue their selfless work under the pressure of coronavirus and social distancing.
“The theme of ‘Making Caring Visible’ is fitting as millions more people become unpaid carers’ and carry out an essential role in the ongoing shielding effort for those with underlying health conditions.
“Being a Carer is also difficult financially with many people giving up work to provide additional support to relatives.
“That is why I welcome the additional funding announced by the Scottish Government to uplift the Carer’s Allowance Supplement which will provide a welcome financial relief to many people.
“I would also like to pay tribute to the Lanarkshire Carers Centre who work with and for carers to develop and deliver services that make a positive difference to their lives.
“Carers are a vital part of the country and their selflessness should never go unnoticed.
“So on this Carer’s Week, we thank them for all they do.”