Chris Huhne

Chris Huhne Thanks Eastleigh’s Unsung Carers

Eastleigh MP Chris Huhne has said a personal “thank you” to the carers who look after elderly, sick and disabled relatives and friends in the borough.

Chris Huhne has backed a Commons motion which supports Carers’ Week and praises the six million people in the UK who provide unpaid help, care and support to a relative or friend who has an illness or disability.

Mr Huhne said: “I am supporting Carers’ Week because carers are the unsung heroes of our society, without whom the civilised treatment of people in need would all but break down.

He added: “We need to do more to say thank you to carers, and to ensure that we do not take advantage of their eminent good nature in particular by ensuring adequate respite care. Carers need a break sometimes too.

Notes:

The full text of Early Day Motion 1355 is as follows:

That this House expresses its gratitude to and respect for the six million people in the UK who provide unpaid help, care and support to a relative or friend who has an illness or disability; notes that the huge contribution that carers make is often unrecognised by society, communities and sometimes within carers’ own families and that as a consequence of this lack of recognition carers go without the support they need; acknowledges that most will provide care at some point in their lives and need to have access to information and services and to be listened to; is concerned that professionals may not always understand the role of a carer, nor offer them appropriate support, which risks damaging carers’ own health; further notes that Carers Week, a partnership of 10 national charities, takes place this year from 8 to 14 June, with the theme Carers: the UK‘s Secret Service; and believes that carers need to have a higher profile across all services and be prioritised alongside other groups at risk of social exclusion at a local and national level.