Lord Bishop of Leeds
Main Page: Lord Bishop of Leeds (Bishops - Bishops)
Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)
The noble Lord highlights a crucial point. We are saying all the way through that there needs to be greater coming together at a local level. NHS England is taking this exceptionally seriously, working with local authorities, GPs and ICBs, for example, to make sure that they come together. One of the most important aspects of its work—for example, the conference it is setting up—is that the voices of carers themselves are heard, that the incredible importance of their experience is recognised, and that no assumptions are made about what should be done on their behalf. It is critical that they are at the centre of all the work going forward. I will indeed write to the noble Lord on his last point.
The Lord Bishop of Leeds
My Lords, many of the children and other young carers, referred to in a previous question, depend on charities. Are the Government content that the balance is right between what the state offers and charitable support?
Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)
The right reverend Prelate raises a very good point. These issues are at the centre of all the discussions that are going forward to make sure we get the right balance, that everyone who has a say gets an opportunity to be heard, and that we get a much better package of support for all the unpaid carers who need it.