Carers Action Plan

Debate between Earl of Effingham and Baroness Hyde of Bemerton

Thursday 22nd October 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Hyde of Bemerton (Lab)]

This Government are committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity for all young people, including young carers, and every young carer is entitled to an assessment to ensure they receive the support they need. Local authorities have that duty of care, and we fully support the “No Wrong Doors for Young Carers” memorandum of understanding, which promotes stronger joint working between adult and children’s care services.

The role of the champion and exactly how that will dovetail with existing work and departments is still being worked out. The appointment will be announced in due course, and at that time we will also announce how that will integrate with ongoing work. I also draw the noble Baroness’s attention to the cross-departmental small ministerial working group, which will be looking at this issue. The inclusion of Minister Waugh, as the early education Minister, is crucial to ensuring that all schools in every local authority are doing all they can to support young carers and children bereaved at an early age.

[The Earl of Effingham (Con)]

My Lords, the noble Baroness, Lady Pitkeathley, rightly highlighted co-ordination. If NHS England is to be abolished in 2027, does that not create an issue in ensuring clear accountability for the delivery of this incredibly important cross-government carers action plan?

[Baroness Hyde of Bemerton (Lab)]

I would have thought the opposite was true. The whole reason why the Government have agreed to the abolition of NHSE is to increase direct ministerial accountability within the Department of Health and Social Care, as previously mentioned in other answers—and, in this case, the DWP, DBIST and DfE.