Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans the Government has to increase support for unpaid carers.

The Government is committed to continuing to support informal carers, and to do so in a way that supports their own health and wellbeing, employment and other life chances.

That is why, on 5 June, the Department published a cross-Government action plan of targeted work to support carers over the next two years. This is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/carers-action-plan-2018-to-2020

There are 64 actions in the plan focused around five important themes:

- Effective services and systems;

- Employment and financial wellbeing;

- Supporting young carers;

- Recognition and support within the wider community and society; and

- Building evidence and research to improve health and wellbeing outcomes.

The forthcoming adult social care Green Paper will also include a focus on carers and how society supports them.

On funding, social care continues to be a key priority for this Government. In addition to the £2 billion announced at Spring Budget 2017, we have announced a further £150 million for 2018/19, giving councils access to up to £9.4 billion more dedicated funding for adult social care in total over three years.