CARERS WEEK 2008

That this House expresses its admiration for the six million people in the UK who provide unpaid help and support to a relative or friend, who because of frailty, illness or disability, would not otherwise be able to manage; notes that as a consequence of caring disproportionate numbers of people experience ill health, poverty and discrimination; is concerned that large numbers of carers are unknown to statutory agencies and therefore their health needs are often overlooked; further notes that Carers Week, a partnership of 10 national charities, takes place in 2008 from 9th to 15th June, with the theme `Carers can't afford to be ill'; believes that carers need to be viewed as key partners in community care and need health and social care provision that is accessible and flexible; and further notes that in the next two decades the UK will need substantially more carers.