Helen Morgan calls for extra support for carers

North Shropshire MP Helen Morgan has called on the Government to provide extra support for carers as she pledged to champion them during Carers Week 2022.

The Liberal Democrat MP signed a motion which asks the Government to develop a recovery and respite plan for unpaid carers that recognises the enormous impact the covid-19 pandemic has had on carers’ lives.

It also urges the Government to set out practical steps to mitigate some of the negative impacts that caring can have on carers’ own physical and mental health.

Meanwhile Helen has personally pledged to show her support for unpaid carers across North Shropshire and the UK.

Helen Morgan MP said: “Carers are incredible people. They do amazing work and constantly go out of their way to look after loved ones. I am always impressed when I meet carers from across North Shropshire who work so hard often for very little recognition and no reward.

“The pandemic has been tough and particularly so for carers whose workload has increased at a time of great stress and anxiety. Two thirds of carers have not had any breaks at all since the arrival of Covid-19.

“This Carers Week I want to say thank you. I promise to champion the needs of carers who sacrifice so much and deserve to be both celebrated and supported.”

The early day motion was tabled by Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey. The full text of it is as follows:

That this House supports Carers Week 2022, which is taking place from 6 to 12 June; recognises this year’s theme of making caring visible, valued and supported; emphasises the invaluable contribution that millions of unpaid carers make across the UK on a daily basis, by providing care to their family and friends who are disabled, ill or older and need support; highlights that unpaid carers save the British taxpayer £400 billion each year; acknowledges that unpaid carers have been under additional pressure over the past two and a half years and are urgently in need of more support; and calls on the Government to develop a recovery and respite plan for unpaid carers that recognises the enormous impact the covid-19 pandemic has had on carers’ lives and sets out practical steps to mitigate some of the negative impacts that caring can have on carers’ own physical and mental health.