Anne McLaughlin, SNP MSP for the Glasgow Region, has welcomed the publication of the Scottish Government's new five year strategies for supporting carers and young carers which will see £5 million invested in providing respite opportunities. For the first time, the Scottish Government has published a separate strategy for young carers, recognising the unique challenges they face.

The strategy includes increasing investment in training for carers, giving greater priority to carers' own health and establishing a Carers Rights Charter.

Commenting, Ms McLaughlin said: "It is difficult to overemphasise how important carers are to the love ones they look after. As a society we owe it to them to ensure that we support them in what can be a very difficult and challenging task.

"This new strategy will help shape that support for the next five years and I welcome its publication. The funding for respite care is particularly welcome and will help to relieve some of the pressures carers face in their own lives.

"The fact that there is now a separate strategy in place for young carers is an important recognition of the specific challenges that they face. This is an important development for carers in Glasgow and I am optimistic that it will help ease some of the enormous burden on unpaid carers."

Note:

Details of the Scottish Government's carers strategies can be here.