Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent estimate he has made of he number of carers able to access breaks from their caring responsibilities since the start of the covid-19 outbreak.

The Government recognises that access to breaks and respite provides important support for people with care needs and their carers during the COVID-19 pandemic. We have provided approximately £1.8 billion in specific funding for adult social care. This includes the £1.35 billion Infection Control Fund, which has been used towards supporting day centres to re-open safely.

We are continuing to work with local authorities, in collaboration with Association of Directors of Adult Social Services and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to ensure, where possible, the safe resumption of these services. In addition we have provided over £2 billion this year to the Better Care Fund which local authorities can access to fund social care services in their areas, including respite services.