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Caring together in Scotland
Carers Scotland today welcomed the launch of Scotland's new Carers strategy (Caring together) and Young Carers strategy (Getting it right for young carers) outlining achieving better support for carers over the next 5 years.
New technology takes the weight off unpaid carers
Carers Scotland will hold a major national conference, in partnership with the Scottish Government Joint Improvement Team at the Glasgow Science Centre on 1 December 2009. The Conference “A weight off my mind: telecare for carers” will present the findings of new research about the benefits to carers and those they care for and, to health and social services, of providing telecare equipment to unpaid carers to support them in their caring role. It will also showcase equipment, services and examples of best practice. Keynote speakers include Nicola Sturgeon, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing and Professor Sue Yeandle, University of Leeds.
Carers, unaware of support, missing out on benefits and pensions
Carers provide unpaid care by looking after ill, frail or disabled family members, friends or partners.
Carers deserve better financial support
Carers UK has reacted to today’s report from the Committee of Public Accounts (Supporting Carers to care, 42nd Report of Session 2008-09) which reveals that carers find it hard to access state benefits and employment support because of confusing and complex processes and poor communication from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Carers Scotland calls for radical overhaul of benefits and care system to prevent carers reaching breaking point
Charity reacts to new research published for Carers Week showing carers are suffering breakdowns and extreme levels of stress.
Carers ‘ignoring own health" urged to get health checks
Carers Scotland, Carers UK and Lloydspharmacy partnership offers free heart health checks during Carers Week to tackle poor health for unpaid carers
Carers Scotland supports Food Safety Week 2009
Carers Scotland is supporting this year's Food Safety Week from 15–21 June 2009 and will be disseminating information to carers throughout Scotland.
Free healthchecks for carers during Carers Week
Carers Scotland and Carers UK have teamed up with Lloydspharmacy to offer carers free health checks at local pharmacies during this year's Carers Week.
Discrimination against carers to be outlawed in forthcoming Bill
The Government has today announced that it intends to ban discrimination against carers by protecting people who are ‘associated with’ someone who is disabled. This will apply in employment and in the provision of goods, facilities and services.
Protest : update from the carer poverty protest group
A group of carers angry at the continued lack of improvements to carers’ benefits are organising a day of protests. On April 22nd 2009 protests will take place in Edinburgh and London.
Carers to be included in new savings scheme
From 2010, there will be a new government supported saving scheme called the 'Saving Gateway' which will help people save by making a Government contribution of 50p for every pound saved. Yesterday the Government agreed to include carers in the scheme, with Economic Secretary Ian Pearson announcing that he will amend the legislation when it is next debated.
Groups urged to register for Carers Week 2009
Groups and organisations around the UK are being urged to register for Carers Week 2009.
Government backs down over Jobseeker’s Allowance plan
Carers Scotland and Carers UK have welcomed the Government’s change of heart over its proposal to move carers claiming Income Support onto a modified version of Jobseeker’s Allowance.
Dramatic increase in carer poverty
New research unveils extreme hardship amongst Scotland’s unpaid carers
Money expert backs Carers Rights Day
GMTV's money saving expert Martin Lewis has given his backing to Carers Rights Day
Carers given immediate protection against discrimination and harassment at work
The Employment Tribunal in London has ruled that protection for carers against discrimination “by association with disability” can be given under existing UK law, paving the way for carers to make immediate claims against their employers if they are treated unfairly.
Chancellor brings some Christmas cheer for carers with £60 bonus
Carers Scotland has welcomed yesterday’s announcement by the Chancellor Alistair Darling MP that all carers who are entitled to Carer’s Allowance will receive an additional payment of £60. This is on top of the usual £10 Christmas Bonus which they will receive. The increase will be paid automatically in the New Year to all those who qualify.
General practices promote the positive health of carers
Carers Scotland will hold a major national conference, in partnership with NHS Education Scotland, in Edinburgh on 7 October 2008. The Conference will highlight the benefits to carers and those they care for and, to local health services, of providing Scotland’s 660,000 unpaid carers with the support to improve their health and wellbeing. It will also provide examples of best practice and be addressed by Shona Robison, Minister for Public Health.
Carers lose £11,000 a year in earnings
New statistics, published to coincide with Carers Scotland’s Carers Rights Day, Friday 7 December 2007, show that the average loss in earnings last year by carers who had either to give up their job, reduce their hours or take a more junior position in order to care for sick, frail or disabled relatives or partners, was £11,291.
Financial compensation through the Carer’s Allowance benefit – provided a carer is eligible by earning under £95 a week – is just £48.65 a week.