Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the report by Carers UK Caring behind closed doors: 6 months on, published on 20 October, what additional support they intend to provide for carers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Government recognises the vital role unpaid carers play, especially during this difficult period and we continue to work closely with carer’s organisations to support them.

During the pandemic, we have provided funding to Carers UK. They have extended their support phoneline, produced a leaflet to help carers identify themselves on discharge from hospital and published guidance specifically for carers and young carers, which includes further information about sources of support.

We have worked with the Social Care Institute for Excellence to publish guidance to help make decisions on restarting services and to provide quality care safely. In addition, through the Government’s Infection Control Fund, we have extended some of this funding to be used to support day services adopt infection control measures to help them reopen safely.