Parliament launches first APPG for young carers
Fiona Simpson
Thursday, January 30, 2020
The first all-party parliamentary group (APPG) for young carers and young adult carers is set to be formed.
The cross-party platform will provide a forum for young carers to meet MPs and share the pressures and challenges they face due to their responsibilities, the Carer's Trust said.
Five MPs have already agreed to become officers of the APPG, with more expected to join in the coming weeks.
The five MPs who have agreed to become officers are:
- Paul Blomfield (Labour) – Sheffield Central
- Julian Sturdy (Conservative) – York Outer
- Tim Loughton (Conservative) – East Worthing and Shoreham
- Barbara Keeley (Labour) – Worsley and Eccles South
- Martin Docherty-Hughes (SNP) – West Dunbartonshire
Blomfield, who has tabled an early day motion “in recognition of the importance of young carers”, said: “Young carers face extraordinary challenges, juggling caring responsibilities with education and everything else in their lives.
“After hosting a meeting of young carers groups from across the country, it was clear to me that we can do more to address the issues facing young carers everywhere and I’m pleased to help launch this new all-party parliamentary group which can make that case in parliament.”
Gareth Howells, chief executive of the Carers Trust, welcomed the formation of the APPG and said: “Because of the ongoing failure to find a sustainable solution to the crisis in social care funding, more and more young people are having to take on very significant responsibilities at home to care for long-term sick and disabled parents or siblings.
“It’s vital therefore that the voices of young carers are heard in parliament. Formation of the new APPG will mean MPs get a better understanding of the very real challenges faced by young carers who are having to juggle all the pressures of school and young life with the sort of caring responsibilities at home that many adults would struggle with.”
