Norman Lamb MP

Minister of State

Department of Health

Richmond House

79 Whitehall

London

SW1A 2NS

Date: 5^th June 2014

Dear Norman,

I would like to raise with you the important issue of carers, particularly as this week is National Carers Week.

I have written to you previously about the impact of the current care crisis in terms of standards of care and ability to access care for those who require it, as well as the provision of better support for carers. As a patron of the Brighton Carers Centre in my constituency, I have heard firsthand accounts from those who are carers themselves, and those being cared for by loved ones.

I am growing increasingly concerned that the 3 in 5 of us who act as carers at some point in our lives, do not have enough provisions in place to juggle caring with work. Over 3 million people currently juggle work and care for older, ill or disabled relatives or loved ones. Research by Carers UK shows that 2 million people have had to leave work in order to care for their loved ones, at an estimated cost of £5.3 billion a year cost to the economy.  When coupled with an ageing society, and an increase in the number of people acting as carers, it becomes apparent that care leave needs to be introduced in order to allow carers to balance their work and family lives. It cannot remain the case that individuals should be threatened with unemployment in order to care for their loved ones.

I am, therefore, calling for the introduction of a legal right to 5 days paid care leave, and for a debate to be held in Parliament on the rights to longer periods of leave to care for disabled, older seriously or terminally ill loved ones. The introduction of 5 days paid care would be particularly important in cases where a loved one is taken suddenly ill, or their condition worsens. This simple provision would allow carers legal protection and help to ease the burden placed on carers in many difficult situations.

I look forward to hearing your views on this matter.

Yours sincerely,