EAST AYRSHIRE CARERS CENTRE

That this House congratulates the East Ayrshire Carers Centre on its award of £40,000 from the ScottishPower Energy People Trust; understands that the award enables the provision of a more direct service to vulnerable carers in rural areas where transport costs can become a barrier to receiving support; welcomes the training and educational programmes supplied to help carers and their families maximise their sometimes very limited income and manage household finances; recognises that the East Ayrshire Carers Centre is an important lifeline to carers who in many cases are in financial crisis; celebrates its upcoming 20th anniversary; expresses thanks to the staff and volunteers of the East Ayrshire Carers Centre who provide such an important service to vulnerable carers; and calls on the Government to recognise that many carers are living in fuel poverty whilst playing a crucial role in the delivery of health and social care provision in the UK.