Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent steps he has taken to provide support for family carers.

The Government recognises the vital role unpaid carers play, especially during this difficult period and we continue to work closely with carer organisations to support them.

During the pandemic, we have provided funding to Carers UK to extend their support phoneline, produced a leaflet to help carers identify themselves and published guidance specifically for carers and young carers, which includes further information about sources of support.

We have worked with the Social Care Institute for Excellence to publish guidance to help local authorities restart respite services. In addition, through the Government’s Infection Control Fund, we have extended some of this funding to be used to support day services adopt infection control measures to help them reopen safely.