Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of updating the Carers Action Plan 2018-2020 with regard to support for BAME young carers in light of the disproportionate affect covid-19 has had on those communities.

The Carers Action Plan 2018-2020 is due to complete this year. Action 3.4 in the plan focuses on young carers from disadvantaged and seldom heard groups, to increase the timely identification of particularly hidden young carers and to support better identification among black, Asian and minority ethnic families.

The findings from the action will be reported on this summer. Next steps and recommendations from the report will form part of the review for the action plan.

We continue to work with carer organisations, and young carer organisations to understand the impact of COVID-19 on young carers. This will help inform our next steps.