Liberal Democrat Care and Support Minister Norman Lamb Announces Legal Rights for Carers
People who have to care for elderly relatives - often their own parents - in addition to the demands of work and family life are to receive training in care techniques and an entitlement to help, such as respite holidays. Councils will have to assess what support carers need. Everyone will be offered advice and guidance and means-tested financial assistance to pay for services will be available to those who qualify.
These new rights are expected to help an estimated 1.25 million people, many of whom are women, who spend more than 50 hours each week caring for family members. In addition millions of women approaching retirement will also shortly benefit from the Liberal Democrat pension reform. The new new flat-rate state pensions are designed to make things fairer for women and the self-employed.
Norman Lamb, the Liberal Democrat Care Minister, said that many carers currently felt "completely isolated" and unsupported. At the moment they can get an assessment of their needs from the local authority but "don't have a right to support". The new laws will give them that right.
"There will be proper support. They will be linked into the system. If their needs are of a sufficient level they will be entitled for the first time to get support from the local authority."
Carers could be offered assistance including training in care techniques, leisure classes and help with transport. Social services can also provide care for elderly people while their relations take a break. And under plans announced last year a £72,000 cap on the cost of care is also being introduced.
"This is the most important piece of care legislation for decades and reforms a dysfunctional system," Mr Lamb said. "The package as a whole will give people a lot of reassurance and help people to plan for old age a lot better because they will know the extent of the risk they face."