Local MP Raises Carers’ Concerns in Parliament
Gavin Newlands, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, has spoken in a debate in the UK Parliament to highlight the real experiences of carers in the UK.
A debate took place in Parliament to coincide with Carers Week and was an opportunity to thank carers for the contribution that they make to society, as well as discuss the challenges that carers face on a daily basis.
Mr Newlands called on the UK Government to do more to help carers, including matching the SNP Scottish Government’s commitment to increase Carer’s Allowance in line with Jobseeker’s Allowance, as well as slamming the UK Government for their ‘inhumane’ PIP assessments.
Gavin Newlands, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, said:
“This debate, which coincided with Carers Week, was an opportunity to thank carers for the vital role that they play in society. Across the UK, unpaid care is estimated to be worth £100 billion each year.
“However, we fail carers and the people that they look after, if we only debate, celebrate and take note of carers issue on this week alone. It’s only right that we show our appreciation to carers, but more importantly we need to debate the issues and challenges that carers face and devise polices which help ease their lives.
“One of the ways that we can do that is by supporting carers so they don’t have to give up work. Carers UK estimate that £5.3 billion is wiped from the UK economy due to carers being forced to leave the workplace.
“We need to create flexible working environments which understand and can deal with the demands that come from being a carer.
“The UK Government should follow the direction of the Scottish Government by increasing Carers Allowance, but it should also abandon its Welfare Reform agenda which is causing so much pain for carers and the people that they care for.
“So whilst we take time to properly thank and credit Carers for the role that they perform in society, let’s give carers what they’re really wanting. A commitment from parliamentarians of all persuasions that we will work with them, we will listen to them and we will deliver for them.”
