Baroness Wheeler
Main Page: Baroness Wheeler (Labour - Life peer)
Baroness Jolly
I do not have figures that split out blood relatives from other carers. I shall find out whether such figures are available and let the noble Lord have them.
Baroness Wheeler (Lab)
My Lords, does the Minister agree that providing good quality home care and respite care is crucial to enabling carers to take up work and remain in jobs and not to descend into poverty or debt? Good care means dignity, respect and a better life for the person carers care for. What steps are the Government taking to ensure that health and social care commissioners recognise this point and provide for and pay for decent care?
Baroness Jolly
It is critical that carers have lives outside that of caring for the individual. The Government are therefore working very hard to ensure that carers can remain in employment or get employment but also have a social life outside their caring duties. Anyone who wants to return to work can get support from Jobcentre Plus and, as of 30 June this year, carers can request flexible working from their employers.