£33m carer-support plan unveiled

8.33.57am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 21st Feb 2007

The government is to unveil its New Deal for Carers which will see £33m used for measures to help people who care for elderly or disabled relatives. Most of the money - £25m - will go to local authorities to fund emergency respite care for people who need a break from the demands of their role. Ministers say it would relieve the burden on carers if they were sick or had other family responsibilities.

A national helpline for carers will also be created as part of the scheme.

The New Deal for Careers will also include the development of an expert carers programme. Ministers say this will provide training and support in areas carers have called for help with, such as information about their legal rights and training in handling.

John Wallington, from Leicestershire, is a carer for his wife who suffers mental health problems.

He told the BBC: "My job as a carer is a full time job - it is 24/7, 365 days a year. It is my life. It is totally unpredictable as to what each day is going to be like when you wake up in the morning.".