Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to co-ordinate support for unpaid carers.

We recognise the tireless hard work and dedication of unpaid carers and young carers in this country. We know that unpaid carers do so much to look after their loved ones and that while many people wish to play a caring role, it can bring challenges. We are determined to provide carers with the recognition and support they deserve.

That is why Ministers from the Departments of Health and Social Care, Work and Pensions, Business and Trade, and Education have formed an unpaid carers ministerial group and will meet regularly.

We are determined to work together, so that carers are identified by health and care services and supported to provide care, where appropriate, and better manage their own health wellbeing; able to enter into, or stay in, paid work should they choose to do so and prevented from falling into poverty; and supported so that they do not face barriers to opportunities due to the impact of caring.