Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether carers from the ex-Service community will be recognised in guidance accompanying the new obligation for Integrated Care Boards to involve carers when commissioning care.

The Health and Care Bill references the term ‘carer’ to include all groups of carers who provide care, unpaid, for a friend or family member who has needs, such as unpaid carers in the armed forces community. Guidance is being prepared for integrated care boards on the duties relating to public and carer involvement. We expect this guidance to be issued in the summer subject to the passage of the Bill.

The funding announced will assist commissioners and service providers in projects to understand the support required for those with different caring circumstances, acknowledging the wide variety in experience and need among carers. The Department does not hold statistics on young carers. However, the 2021 Census in England and Wales asked respondents whether they had previously served in the United Kingdom Armed Forces. We will consider this data as part of future policy development.