Press Release
Contact: Richard Burt 07970 713 032
Embargo: Immediate 18th December 2006-12-18
CANDIDATE INVITES WEST WORCESTERSHIRE CARERS TO SHARE EXPERIENCES IN MAJOR
INVESTIGATION ON FINANCIAL PENALTIES PAID BY UK CARERS
Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate, Richard Burt is inviting carers in
West Worcestershire to complete a Carers UK questionnaire as part of a major
year-long study on the extra financial costs faced by the UK’s six million
carers.
The investigation, called ‘A Fair Deal for Carers’, will examine the state of
carers’ finances, quality of life, and how caring has affected their employment
and income.
Richard Burt said:
“I meet many who feel strongly about carers' benefits and finances and this
investigation provides a practical way for them to push for change.
“Critically, carers will be asked to help set the agenda for improvement
themselves, and determine what factors would advance their situation, to help
establish the most effective and appropriate support for them. The resulting
work will be published in 2007.
“Previous research by Carers UK has indicated that carers suffer a heavy
financial burden with their role. A third are struggling to pay utility bills
and one in five are cutting back on food to make ends meet.
“There are still too many barriers in the system that prevent carers from
accessing opportunities and fully participating in life and work. An improvement
is vital as, with a rapidly ageing population, we will come to depend more and
more on carers. With this investigation, Carers UK are aiming to take the voices
of carers straight to Ministers.”
The questionnaire can be accessed online at
http://www.carersuk.org/Newsandcampaigns/Fairdeal.
Alternatively, hard copies can be ordered by emailing
Christine.Swarbrick@carersuk.org (up to a maximum of 100).
The deadline for responses is 13th January 2007.
Ends
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