Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what additional support he plans to provide to support the mental health and wellbeing of (a) carers and (b) young carers.

Under the Children and Families Act 2014 and the Care Act 2014, carers and young carers have legal rights to an assessment of and support for, their needs where eligible, including a duty to promote an individual’s ‘wellbeing’ and consider the impact of the role as a carer on their wellbeing.

We have provided carers with guidance which includes advice on their health and wellbeing and funding to Carers UK to extend their support phoneline. We have worked with the Social Care Institute for Excellence to publish guidance on reopening day services to provide important respite to carers.