The young people, who attended the Young Carers Festival on 27-29 June (see p14), also wanted to know why no Government minister has attended the national event in the past four years. They are calling for a meeting with Hodge, who will be sent a video of the festival.
Hodge gave organisers the following statement: "Your voices have been vital in letting us know what action is needed. And it is vital that you go on telling us - letting us know what you need, what works for you and where we need to do more."
More than 1,500 young carers attended the weekend event in Hampshire, which was organised by The Children's Society and East Hampshire YMCA.
A key feature of the event, which this year had the theme of Less Talk, More Action, was a debate where young carers quizzed a panel that included shadow health minister Tim Loughton MP.
Jenny Frank, young carers' co-ordinator at The Children's Society, said: "It would be good if the minister is able to meet to find out more about the festival - and young carers' concerns."
Peter Cooper, children's work director at South East Hampshire YMCA, hailed the festival as a way of raising awareness.
He commented: "While some progress has been made, it still saddens me to hear the same issues to which the young carers articulately offer simple and achievable solutions, repeated year on year." ETHNIC MINORITIES Young people to advise on policy Young people from ethnic minority communities will have their say in Government policy-making as part of an advisory group set up last week.
The Race Equality Advisory Panel will consist of 25 representatives of ethnic minority communities on call to advise the Home Office.
As part of the scheme, members will mentor a young person in their social and professional development. These young people will have the opportunity to influence policy, while developing an understanding of how government works.
Fiona Mactaggart, Home Office minister for race equality, said the shadowing scheme would "get young people into the heart of our policymaking process and help us to develop leaders of the future".
Members of the adult panel include Naznin Coker, chair of the British Refugee Council, and Iqbal Sacranie, secretary-general of The Muslim Council of Britain.
