Informal carers
This briefing looks at informal carers in the UK and the issues they face. It includes information on their rights, benefit entitlement, the support available and an overview of Government policy.

On 12 February 2019, there will be a Westminster Hall debate on Support for young carers, starting at 4:30pm. The debate is sponsored by Paul Blomfield MP.
The Commons Library has published a paper on Carers, published in November 2017. The paper provides a picture of the carer population and their issues in the UK, as well as the support available to them.
June 2018 saw the publication of the Government response to the 2016 carers call for evidence and its Carers Action Plan: 2018-2020. Section three of the Action Plan looks specifically at young carers, and below is a brief synopsis of this part of the Plan.
The Government noted in the Action Plan that 67% of young carers responding to the call for evidence had not received any support. Respondents suggested that they would like to see “groups to share experiences, mental health support or counselling, information provision through schools and educational establishments, and flexible educational support and careers planning.” Consequently the Action plan highlights four areas in which the Government is taking action to improve the young carer experience:
Identification of young carers
Improving educational opportunities and outcomes
Improving access to support services
Transition for young adult carers
This briefing looks at informal carers in the UK and the issues they face. It includes information on their rights, benefit entitlement, the support available and an overview of Government policy.
Background briefings for Queen's Speech debate on 16 May 2022: "Making Britain the best place to grow up and grow old"
A Westminster Hall debate on the recruitment and retention of foster carers is scheduled for 21 April 2022 at 3:00pm.