Labour MP Jim Fitzpatrick chose Carers Week 2016 to pledge his support for Carer Friendly Communities in his constituency, Poplar and Limehouse (in Tower Hamlets).
Jim pointed out that “there are 6.5 million people in the UK who care for a partner, relative or friend, of which 9,485 carers are in Poplar and Limehouse.” He went on to say, “Carers make a huge contribution to our society, providing vital and often hidden support to friends and family members. That is why I am supporting Carers Week 2016 and encouraging services across Poplar and Limehouse to think about what more they can do to help meet the needs of carers and make our communities more Carer Friendly.”
His views were shared by Helen Goodman MP, Labour MP for Bishop Auckland, who adopted a similar supporting pose and pointed out that “there are 6.5 million people in the UK who care for a partner, relative or friend, 10,285 are in this constituency.”
Helen’s further thoughts chimed in exactly with Jim’s. She said, “Carers make a huge contribution to our society, providing vital and often hidden support to friends and family members. That is why I am supporting Carers Week 2016 and encouraging services across Bishop Auckland constituency to think about what more they can do to help meet the needs of carers and make our communities more Carer Friendly.”
Jim’s comments came a couple of days before Tower Hamlets Council signed up to Unison’s Ethical Care Charter, which deals with paid carers. They also come some 20 years after his predecessor, Mildred Gordon MP, launched a campaign in Parliament calling for the work of carers to be recognised and paid.
[Adverts]