Closed petition Caring for our carers

Closed on 8 August 2012

Figures released show 6.4 million carers save Britain £119 billion per year. Carers benefit is £55.55 per week for 35 hours of full-time care or £1.59 per hour. At this rate a carer paid for providing 168 hours of care would receive £267.12 per week; just under 5 times the value of carers benefit.

I propose:-

Carers benefit be paid for ALL hours of care provided.

Training in care (manual handling, drug administration etc) be offered to safeguard the health of carers and those for whom they provide care.

Carers leaving their caring role be offered free training to update their working skills and knowledge to support a return to the job market.

Carers perform their daily tasks out of a mixture of love, concern, responsibility and respect for the person or persons they care for; it would be both a decent and financially responsible action to choose to help them to carry on their vital work in supporting the most vulnerable members of our society.