National Carers Week June 14th to 20th

Almost 5.2 million carers in the UK dedicate their time providing unpaid care to a relative or friend who is ill, frail or disabled.
  Over 12000 events are taking place throughout the UK as part of National Carers Week which takes place from the 14th to 20th June.
  The statistics are revealing.

• Every year over 2 million people become carers.
• 58% of carers are women and 42% are men.
• Over 3 million people juggle care with work.
• 22% of carers in employment provide over 50 hours of unpaid care per week.
• 114000 children age 5-15 provide care (9000 of these for over 50 hours a week)
• The main carer's benefit is £46.96 for a minimum of 35 hours, equivalent to £1.34 per hour.
• By 2037 the number of carers could have increased to 9 million.
• Carers save the economy £57 billion per year, an average of £10,000 per carer.

Because of their caring responsibilities carers sacrifice so much that we take for granted – a night out, holidays, promotion - and many experience financial hardship.
  National Carers Week will be calling for greater support for carers to allow them to maintain a life of their own. It will highlight the incredible stories of carers; those who can describe how they have managed to create a life of their own, and those who feel that they are unable to.
  Many CWU members have caring responsibilities. The Work and Families Act 2006 and the Employment Rights Act 1996 give working carers rights to help them manage work and caring including the right to request flexible work and leave entitlement. (In Northern Ireland they are called The Work and Families (Northern Ireland) Order 2006 and The Employment Rights (Northern Ireland) Order 1996). Please contact my Department if you have any queries about your rights or visit http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/CaringForSomeone/CarersAndEmployment/DG_4000206
  For information about National Carers Week log on to http://www.carersweek.org/