Our response to the recent media coverage on young carers

Many of you will have seen or heard some of the extensive media coverage recently regarding the plight of young carers in the UK. Much of the interest in this issue was prompted by a recent interview on BBC Radio 4's Today Programme about both the issues faced by young carers and the challenges faced by organisations supporting them.

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The Princess Royal Trust for Carers welcomes the current media attention on the plight of young carers and we will continue our work to highlight this emotive and widespread social problem. We have been working closely with Government departments and are pleased that carers are on the Government’s agenda in the coming months.

Beverley Hughes, Minister for Children, Young People and Families said:

“Young carers shouldn't have to miss out on their childhood. They should get the support they need to enable them to do all the things other young people want to do and to reach their full potential. I am pleased that we are funding The Princess Royal Trust for Carers and Children's Society to ensure these fantastic young people get the help they deserve.

“I am also pleased that the The Princess Royal Trust for Carers will be working with the government on our national review for carers, announced by Gordon Brown and the Department of Health earlier this year. This will help us find out what carers, including young carers, are actually doing in practice, about the gaps between what they’re doing and the range of services that they need.”

We will continue to maximise all opportunities available to make the case for services at local level to be supported and properly funded.

Shan Nicholas, Chief Executive of The Princess Royal Trust for Carers says:

“I feel reassured that the Government’s current review of the National Carers Strategy will include a thorough appraisal of the reasons why 175,000 children are young carers. The Government is clearly committed to re-writing the national strategy and we look forward to working with the governments in all four nations in looking for the right solutions that will improve the lives of carers throughout the UK.

Shan goes on to say “Our experience over the past 16 years and that of the Network of carers centres has told us that what carers need most is to be recognised and valued as carers. We will continue to urge central government to continue with the two main sources of funding Carers Grant and the Children’s Fund. Without this funding many Councils will close their carers’ services and a vital lifeline for many young and adult carers will be lost”.

The Princess Royal Trust For Carers Young Carers Policy May 2007 (26 KB)

It is estimated that there are 175,000 young carers in the UK struggling to provide care for ill or disabled relatives.