Carers are Britain's unsung heroes.  Dedicated carers around the country and here in Hoe and Portslade play a vital role in supporting elderly and disabled relatives and friends – but they need support themselves.

Carers Week, held in June every year, is an opportunity to thank them for the hard work they do and highlight their cause. But this year Carers Week isn't just about saying thanks. Labour has launched the new Carers Strategy. We want to put carers at the centre of family policy, and give them the recognition and status they deserve.  This has always been an issue close to my heart and I welcomed the chance to ask Prime Minister Gordon Brown what plans the government has in
this area.

I support the Carers Strategy as it sets out action for the carers of today and tomorrow.   There will be more information and advice services for carers will be expanded.   Along with skills, training opportunities for carers will be expanded – and professionals who work with carers will get training too.

The NHS will trial annual health checks for carers, and look at ways for GPs to support carers better. And there will be more support for the growing number of young carers, both inside and outside school.  Now short breaks for carers of adults are being expanded, significantly increasing the funding available from central government.  These will be tailored to individual carers' needs to help them get time away from caring in the way that will make the most difference to their lives.

I also attended an Usdaw event to mark national Carers Week and to welcome the Carers Review (see picture). 

At Prime Ministers Question Time, I asked Gordon Brown:

I’m sure the House will join with me, during national Carers week, in welcoming yesterday’s announcement of £225 million of new investment as part of the National Strategy for Carers.

As life expectancy increases, we are now entering a society where carers who are now retiring are still caring for their parents.  Can the Prime Minister tell me what measures he is taking to ensure that as carers grow older they will receive increasing support in looking after their loved ones?

The Department of Health is currently consulting people on reforming our social care system.  You can have your say by visiting http://www.careandsupport.direct.gov.uk/.