Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate her Department has made of the number of young carers in (a) Scotland, (b) Wales and (c) England.

The Department for Education does not have reliable official figures on the numbers of young carers in the UK and estimates vary considerably.

In England, the Department is investing in the first national research project on young carers. This will provide data about the numbers of young carers and their families, with information about the nature of the care they provide and the issues they face. Findings from this research should also offer a baseline from which we can measure the effectiveness of forthcoming legislative changes which aim to improve the identification and support of young carers and their families.

The devolved governments are responsible for children who are carers in their areas.