Sheffield Labour MPs have jointly written to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Sajid Javid to ask him and his government to stand up for unpaid carers across Sheffield and the country, by supporting and protecting their rights in tonight’s (Wednesday 30 March) Health and Care Bill.

The Health and Care Bill will be voted on in the House of Commons and Sheffield Labour MPs are calling on the government to accept the amendment raised in the House of Lords that protects the rights of unpaid carers in the Bill.

This amendment safeguards the statutory right for unpaid carers to be consulted prior to the person they care for being discharged from hospital. This right exists for carers of all ages, including young carers. If the Government doesn’t retain the amendment, it would be the first time that unpaid carers’ rights were being removed in health and care legislation.

Louise Haigh MP for Sheffield Heeley said:

“It is vital that the government listen to the Lords and accept this amended to the Health and Care Bill. There are approximately 6.5 million carers in the UK, of which there are approximately 800,000 young carers and 7,300 of these are in Sheffield. They all provide vial support to their loved ones, but all too often they are left without the support they need and deserve.

“It’s time that we stood by these carers, who, over the years have shown great sacrifice, courage and fortitude and ensure that their rights are enshrined in legislation.

“All Sheffield Labour MPs are supporting unpaid carers and the government must do the right thing and stand by them too.”