Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment her Department has made of the impact of the Better Care Fund on the provision of support to unpaid carers; and whether she plans to take further steps to improve the working conditions of unpaid carers.

In 2022-23, £291.7 million of the Better Care Fund is earmarked to provide short breaks and respite services for carers, as well as additional advice and support. This year, for the first time, local partnerships have had to set out how funding is being used to support unpaid carers in their Better Care Fund plans. These plans are currently being assured and moderated.

We are committed to supporting unpaid carers to balance their caring alongside work, and to do so in a way that supports their own health and wellbeing. On Friday 21 October, the Government confirmed its support for the hon. Member for North East Fife’s Private Members’ Bill which would introduce a new entitlement to one week of Carer’s Leave for all employees who are providing care for a dependant with a long-term care need.