SUPPORT FOR CARERS WEEK, 14TH - 20TH JUNE

That this House congratulates all those involved in organising and supporting events during this year's Carers Week from 14th to 20th June; applauds the Lanarkshire Carers Centre in Hamilton for their running of carers' pampering, a carers' quiz night and a carers' barbeque as part of Carers' Week; notes the contribution made in Scotland and the rest of the UK by the estimated seven million people caring for partners, relatives or friends; further notes that only a quarter of carers have had their needs properly assessed; recognises the particular commitment of the 15 per cent. of carers caring for more than 50 hours a week; further recognises that the invaluable unpaid work of carers would cost ú57 billion annually to replace; welcomes the launch of the Parents' and Carers' Coalition by the Equal Opportunities Commission; calls on the Government to respond to the proposals made by the Coalition; further calls on the Government to actively consider what additional financial and other support can be given to carers; and urges the Government to increase carers' allowance to the level of the full basic state pension.