CARERS' QUESTION IN THE 2011 CENSUS

That this House notes the importance of collating the number of carers as part of the Census; notes that the inclusion of a question on carers in the 2001 Census gave, for the first time, reliable information about the number of carers both locally and nationally; believes that such a question should be part of the 2011 Census; notes with concern that without this information local authorities and health bodies will not have sufficient data to make effective policy decisions and plan services to meet the needs of carers; and calls on the Government to ensure that a question on carers is included in the 2011 Census.