Carers have been massively let down

Written by Jenny Randerson and published in Cardiff Post on Tue 15th Jul 2008

I was delighted a few weeks ago when it was announced that the UK Government had found tens of millions of pounds to support Carers across the UK. It appeared at first that this would result in around £11m of new money coming to Wales. Carers are the unsung heroes of our society. They spend time, money and enormous amounts of energy and passion on looking after their loved ones, be they friends or family.

Without the dedication of these people, caring for people for free, the cost to the taxpayer would without doubt, bankrupt the Government. We all have a lot to be thankful for and yet carers often get such little recognition and support that it makes me wonder how they bring themselves to carry on.

Organisations in Wales such as Carers UK Cymru and Crossroads do a terrific amount of work sticking up for Carers and lobbying on their behalf. Everyone involved was delighted with the extra money that seemed to be heading for Wales. This money would have provided simple things that would have made a huge difference to so many lives. Things like respite care, more support for the thousands of children who care and more support and advice services.

I decided to question the Finance Minister to find out exactly how much of this money was due to come to Wales, but the answer that I received was devastating. It turns out that the Westminster Government, using their typically dark art of spin, had re-announced old money that was already in the budget. This means that there will be no new money to support Carers in Wales. I believe that is it fairly shameful to dress old money up as new because, as in this case, it raises hopes that are always due to be quashed.

I hope that the Assembly Government will find the money from somewhere else to provide some of these very simple services that would make the lives of so many people so much better. It is impossible to overstate how much carers in Wales do, not only for the people they care for but for society as a whole.

Don't forget, Jenny Willott MP and I hold a surgery every Friday at 99 Woodville Road, Cathays for everyone in Cardiff Central. The doors open at 3.30pm.

You can keep an eye on www.jennyranderson.com for news and views from the Assembly.