Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the impact of the covid-19 outbreak on unpaid carers in (a) Coventry North East constituency, (b) Coventry and (c) England; and what (i) financial and (ii) other steps he is taking to support unpaid carers during the outbreak.

No specific assessment has been made on the impact on carers in Coventry North East constituency or Coventry.

The Care Act 2014 introduced important rights for carers, including an assessment of and support for their needs where eligible from their local authority. The Government has provided £1.35 billion for the Infection Control Fund, which has been used towards safely reopening day centres, to provide support to carers and those they care for.

We have also provided over £11.6 million to a number of charities which support carers and young carers, issued guidance tailored to carers, access to personal protective equipment for some carers and prioritisation for vaccination. We have also made exemptions to restrictions so that another family member or friend can provide respite care.