Tom Gordon MP intervenes on Cross Government Carers Strategy Debate, calling for increased awareness and identification of carers
Tom Gordon, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough, yesterday (3rd of September 2024) intervened on a parliamentary debate on unpaid carers, calling for more support.
In a powerful statement, Tom highlighted the critical importance of this strategy, emphasising that many young people may not even realise they are carers, despite the significant responsibilities they have. Drawing from his personal experience caring for his Mum and younger sister, Tom shared insights into the challenges faced by young carers, and talked about the need to identify carers.
Tom made his intervention on a debate on creating a Cross Government Carers Strategy, which Wendy Chamberlain MP secured. In the previous parliament, Wendy Chamberlain also tabled a private members’ bill, the Carers Leave Act.
Tom said:
"Too many people are stepping or falling into these roles without the recognition or support they deserve. That was exactly the experience I had.
"A carers strategy is an essential step forward, not only in acknowledging the crucial work carers do but also in providing them with the resources and guidance they vitally need. But we need to go further in making sure that we recognise and support those who don’t identify or perhaps realise they are carers – up to 73% of them, according to a Carers Trust survey.
"From my personal experience, I know how hard it is to be put in this role. These carers are showing incredible resilience, and with the right support, they can achieve their full potential while continuing to care for their loved ones."
ENDS
Text of Tom’s intervention:
I thank my hon. Friend for bringing forward this Adjournment debate, and of course for the work she did before this parliamentary Session on what is now the Carer’s Leave Act 2023. One of the reasons why I became involved in politics is that the day before I started my master’s degree, my mum was diagnosed with breast cancer. I studied my degree part-time over two years to look after her and my little sister, who was just five. Looking back, it is clear that I was filling the role of a carer, but I did not identify as one. That is a key point to note if we are to have a carers strategy. A recent Carers Trust survey found that 73% of those who provide or have provided unpaid care do not identify as unpaid carers. Does my hon. Friend agree that a national carers strategy should prioritise the identification of carers across all sectors?
You can find the full transcript of the debate, including Tom’s speech, here: Unpaid Carers - Hansard - UK Parliament
- Young Carers: Young carers are individuals under 18 who provide care for a family member or friend due to illness, disability, mental health issues, or substance misuse. Many young carers do not identify as such and therefore miss out on critical support services.
- Statistics: It is estimated that there are over 120,000 young carers in England, with many more likely to be unrecognised or unsupported.