Hambleton & Richmondshire Carers

As you all know, the 2001 census included (for the first time) a question on carers. Although we think that the question generated a conservative number, nonetheless it is very useful to have both a national and local picture about how many carers there are.

However, it now looks likely that the question about carers will be lost in the 2011 census. If the Census question is not repeated, we will not be able to accurately compare the change in the number of carers since 2001. At a time when Government is preparing a ten-year National Carers Strategy, continuity of data is essential.

After pressure from carers and carers charities, this month has brought some important steps forward in the campaign to ensure that carers are counted in the next census. Carers were included for the first time in the 2001 Census, giving access to detailed and reliable information on both a local and national level which proved key in helping local authorities and health bodies plan services.

However, these questions were under threat of being dropped completely, due to funding restrictions. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) had to restrict the number of Census questions and initially felt that the ones relating to carers were not of sufficiently high priority to keep in. This lead to the launch of a campaign by Carers UK to Keep Counting Carers, which has gained support from carers, local groups, academics and politicians.

Earlier this month Treasury Minister Angela Eagle MP confirmed that extra funding would be made available for more questions in England and Wales. The Office for National Statistics is now recommending that these include the questions on carers.

The final list of questions will only be confirmed in 2010, when Parliament approves the Census following a question testing programme. However, the fact that the carers questions will be taken forward in the list of questions recommended by the ONS is an important development.

You can receive a paper copy of carers link by contacting us. We have now launched a smaller web based copy that you can get straight from this site - let us know what you think. If you would like to be put onto our mailing list to receive a copy of 'Carers Link' please email me at vicshad@hrcarers.f2s.com .

Direct Payments are payments we make to people to enable them to organise and buy their own social care services instead of these being arranged by their local Adult and Community Services or Children and Young People's Service.