I have pledged my support for Carers Week 2019. The number of people providing unpaid care is growing rapidly, with one in six adults now providing unpaid care, up from one in eight in 2011.

Unpaid carers make an enormous contribution to the lives of sick and disabled people in Britain – often at a high price to themselves and with little support. Carers are seven times more likely to say they are often or always lonely and are almost twice as likely to suffer from anxiety.

The considerable contribution of unpaid carers needs to be recognised when care funding is considered in the next spending review. Workplace rights need to be strengthened, and people’s caring responsibilities outside of work to be fully understood.

In St Helens we have an excellent Carers’ Centre and groups which do great work.

But the Government is failing to give carers the support they need and deserve. We must provide carers with the help and dignity that they so willingly give to others.