Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 23 November 2011
23 Nov 2011 · S4 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Carers and Young Carers Strategy
I welcome this opportunity to speak in the debate on the Government’s strategy for carers, especially as carers’ rights day will take place on Friday 2 December. The theme for the day will be money matters, and the purpose of this year’s awareness day is to ensure that carers have all the information that they need to access the benefits and support to which they are rightly entitled. Money matters because carers should not be penalised or denied opportunities to learn, work or develop their own interests as a consequence of their commitment to others. On carers’ rights day, I will be hosting an information fair for carers and their families in Central Scotland, with the kind support of East Kilbride shopping centre. The response and the good will towards the event from constituents in the community, and even online, has been overwhelming and totally positive.
Caring can, and should, be a rewarding experience, but it is costly in many ways. According to Carers UK, eight out of 10 carers have become financially worse off since becoming a carer, and long-term carers are, on average, more likely to find themselves living on means-tested benefits. Demands on time and on finances place carers in a difficult position that has only been compounded by rising household bills and anxieties over the job market. Too many carers do not claim the benefits to which they are rightly entitled. Many others do not even think of themselves as carers, and therefore miss out on support that could make a material difference to their lives.
Receiving carers allowance can help to protect state pension entitlements, which is a real benefit for those who are unable to work due to their commitments and have therefore been unable to pay national insurance contributions. The allowance is also a gateway to extra entitlements such as the carer premium for income support and jobseekers allowance, and an increased pension credit.
Of course, it is not just about benefits: there are plenty of other means of assisting carers, from practical support into employment to aids and adaptations at home, which can be a help for carers as much as for those for whom they are caring. The physical demands of lifting, bathing and dressing someone day after day can affect the health of carers, especially old carers who may be frail themselves.
A report by Carers Scotland entitled “Sick, tired and caring: the impact of unpaid caring on health and long term conditions” found that 96 per cent of respondents reported that caring had had a negative impact on their health and wellbeing. Health complaints ranged from exhaustion and back and shoulder pain to anxiety and depression, and many of those who were surveyed reported that they had more than one health condition that was either caused or made worse by their caring. As I indicated, home adaptations are crucial. Carers Scotland has also suggested that training should be made available to carers to help them to stay safe and keep well as they tend to whoever they are caring for.
That point is included in chapter 14 of the carers strategy, and I would be interested to hear in the minister’s summing up—further to his earlier remarks—about how plans for the training of carers are progressing. When will the Scottish Government be in a position to offer training to all carers? Will that training include management of the carer’s personal health, as the carers strategy says that it should? Will training be accessible to black and minority ethnic communities and those for whom English is not a first language?
Carers Scotland has made a number of other good points, and I commend its report to anyone who seeks greater insight into how the demands of caring can unfortunately affect a carer’s health. The sample that was used was modest, but the experiences of respondents are real and very telling. Members may wish to note that a new report with a much larger sample will be published in the next few days.
I will read out an extract from the Carers Scotland report that I think is relevant to the debate, which brings together some of the most significant strands of the issue: finance, health and the need for compassion and support from those in power. It states:
“As is well established, poverty and disadvantage are closely linked to poor health outcomes and, amongst carers, recent research identified that many carers face a simple choice between heating and eating with more than 53% reporting cutting back on food and 60% on heating.”
Someone’s status as a carer should not be a barrier to secure employment in a decent job or even meaningful education and training. There is much in the Government’s strategy that I am happy to applaud, but we must ensure that warm words translate into action, because too often before that has not happened.
There are very few people who choose to be a carer. Some do so but, for most, the responsibility is thrust upon them. Some carers experience hardship and some experience poor health—
Caring can, and should, be a rewarding experience, but it is costly in many ways. According to Carers UK, eight out of 10 carers have become financially worse off since becoming a carer, and long-term carers are, on average, more likely to find themselves living on means-tested benefits. Demands on time and on finances place carers in a difficult position that has only been compounded by rising household bills and anxieties over the job market. Too many carers do not claim the benefits to which they are rightly entitled. Many others do not even think of themselves as carers, and therefore miss out on support that could make a material difference to their lives.
Receiving carers allowance can help to protect state pension entitlements, which is a real benefit for those who are unable to work due to their commitments and have therefore been unable to pay national insurance contributions. The allowance is also a gateway to extra entitlements such as the carer premium for income support and jobseekers allowance, and an increased pension credit.
Of course, it is not just about benefits: there are plenty of other means of assisting carers, from practical support into employment to aids and adaptations at home, which can be a help for carers as much as for those for whom they are caring. The physical demands of lifting, bathing and dressing someone day after day can affect the health of carers, especially old carers who may be frail themselves.
A report by Carers Scotland entitled “Sick, tired and caring: the impact of unpaid caring on health and long term conditions” found that 96 per cent of respondents reported that caring had had a negative impact on their health and wellbeing. Health complaints ranged from exhaustion and back and shoulder pain to anxiety and depression, and many of those who were surveyed reported that they had more than one health condition that was either caused or made worse by their caring. As I indicated, home adaptations are crucial. Carers Scotland has also suggested that training should be made available to carers to help them to stay safe and keep well as they tend to whoever they are caring for.
That point is included in chapter 14 of the carers strategy, and I would be interested to hear in the minister’s summing up—further to his earlier remarks—about how plans for the training of carers are progressing. When will the Scottish Government be in a position to offer training to all carers? Will that training include management of the carer’s personal health, as the carers strategy says that it should? Will training be accessible to black and minority ethnic communities and those for whom English is not a first language?
Carers Scotland has made a number of other good points, and I commend its report to anyone who seeks greater insight into how the demands of caring can unfortunately affect a carer’s health. The sample that was used was modest, but the experiences of respondents are real and very telling. Members may wish to note that a new report with a much larger sample will be published in the next few days.
I will read out an extract from the Carers Scotland report that I think is relevant to the debate, which brings together some of the most significant strands of the issue: finance, health and the need for compassion and support from those in power. It states:
“As is well established, poverty and disadvantage are closely linked to poor health outcomes and, amongst carers, recent research identified that many carers face a simple choice between heating and eating with more than 53% reporting cutting back on food and 60% on heating.”
Someone’s status as a carer should not be a barrier to secure employment in a decent job or even meaningful education and training. There is much in the Government’s strategy that I am happy to applaud, but we must ensure that warm words translate into action, because too often before that has not happened.
There are very few people who choose to be a carer. Some do so but, for most, the responsibility is thrust upon them. Some carers experience hardship and some experience poor health—
In the same item of business
The Presiding Officer (Tricia Marwick)
NPA
The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-01399, in the name of Michael Matheson, on implementation of the carers and young carers strategy.14:33
The Minister for Public Health (Michael Matheson)
SNP
I open the debate by acknowledging the huge commitment and support that is provided by Scotland’s estimated 650,000 carers and up to 100,000 young carers. Un...
Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab)
Lab
I certainly do not doubt the minister’s intention, but how is the Government going to monitor the situation to ensure that that happens? It is what happens o...
Michael Matheson
SNP
We have 32 local delivery change plans in place. They must be signed off by the health board, the local authority and the third sector. When a bid is made fo...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
I call Richard Simpson to speak to and move amendment S4M-1399.3. Dr Simpson, you have 10 minutes. 14:48
Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab)
Lab
I welcome this opportunity to open and close this important debate. My colleague Claire Baker will talk in more detail about child and student carers, as wel...
Mark McDonald (North East Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
With regard to the financial impact, does Dr Simpson share my regret that the carers allowance remains such a pitiful sum, and excludes many carers—particula...
Dr Simpson
Lab
I agree with Mark McDonald on that, and I add that the Welfare Reform Bill will not help matters, because some carers will lose their allowance as people wil...
The Presiding Officer
NPA
The member needs to wind up.
Dr Simpson
Lab
We acknowledge the Government’s motion.I move amendment S4M-01399.3, to leave out from “agrees” to end and insert:“further acknowledges promises in successiv...
Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
In recognising the enormous contribution that carers and young carers make to society and to the Scottish economy through the considerable sums of money that...
Alison McInnes (North East Scotland) (LD)
LD
If we asked for a show of hands from members who are either carers or who know of someone close to them who is a carer, we would have an almost 100 per cent ...
James Dornan (Glasgow Cathcart) (SNP)
SNP
The minister made it clear in his speech just how much the Scottish Government recognises the debt that Scotland owes to its carers and the huge role that th...
Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab)
Lab
I welcome the opportunity to take part in this debate on carers. My family chose to be carers—they made a positive decision to take on the responsibility of ...
Bill Kidd (Glasgow Anniesland) (SNP)
SNP
First, I declare an interest as co-convener of the current cross-party group on carers, having been a deputy convener of the group in session 3 of the Parlia...
Mark McDonald (North East Scotland) (SNP)
SNP
I very much welcome the strategy and the strong statement of intent that it contains. It is clear from what the minister has said, and indeed from the increa...
Siobhan McMahon (Central Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
When I read the Government’s carers strategy, one passage immediately stood out:“Carers are ... fundamental to strong families and partnerships and to resili...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (John Scott)
Con
I suspend the meeting until the sound gets sorted out.15:35 Meeting suspended. 15:44 On resuming—
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Con
If members are sitting comfortably, we will begin again. I invite Siobhan McMahon to resume at an appropriate place in her speech; we will be generous with t...
Siobhan McMahon
Lab
Thank you, Presiding Officer. I apologise for breaking the system.A recurrent problem with Government strategies is the glaring contrast between the words on...
Linda Fabiani (East Kilbride) (SNP)
SNP
I am aware of X and I am glad that Siobhan McMahon has raised her case. Does the member agree that sometimes the intention to help people does not work out? ...
Siobhan McMahon
Lab
I could not agree more. Those problems will develop as we go forward in life, as challenges face us.Local authorities must view the provision of short breaks...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Con
I am sorry about the interruption. I call Fiona McLeod, who will have a very tight six minutes. Others may have to reduce their speeches.15:50
Fiona McLeod (Strathkelvin and Bearsden) (SNP)
SNP
Last Friday, I was at the Carers Link East Dunbartonshire annual general meeting. In the past year, Carers Link East Dunbartonshire has identified and suppor...
Nigel Don (Angus North and Mearns) (SNP)
SNP
I would like to look at the issue in the context of the fact that my wife and I are now both carers for an extremely elderly relative. I acknowledge that our...
Margaret McCulloch (Central Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
I welcome this opportunity to speak in the debate on the Government’s strategy for carers, especially as carers’ rights day will take place on Friday 2 Decem...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Elaine Smith)
Lab
The member must conclude, please.
Margaret McCulloch
Lab
—but they are all to be praised for the service that they give and the sacrifices that they make.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
Lab
I call George Adam, who has a maximum of six minutes.16:08
George Adam (Paisley) (SNP)
SNP
Thank you, Presiding Officer—I will try to be as succinct as possible in order to let other colleagues in. I see that members are laughing, but I promise tha...