The Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Social Care, Children, and Young People - Janet Finch-Saunders MS – has responded to reports that young carers are being refused entry to some retail shops, by urging the Welsh Government to improve the distribution of carer ID cards.
Commenting on the situation, Mrs Finch-Saunders said;
“In response to the debate I brought forward on young carers last year, the Deputy Minister indicated that young carers ID cards were set to be phased in by the end of 2019.
“By the end of January this year the Deputy Minister advised that the first phase of ID card roll out would only involve some local authorities.
“Now we are seeing the consequence of numerous carers being without an ID card, with some supermarkets refusing them entry.
“Young carers have a huge amount of responsibility on their shoulders, so I can just imagine how distressing it must be when individuals do not understand their role.
“This evening people across our United Kingdom will be clapping for carers, but I want to do so knowing that work is underway to support young carers.
“Whilst the Welsh Government has previously ignored my request for unpaid carers to receive the £500 bonus, I call on the Deputy Minister to urgently improve the distribution of ID cards.
“We need a Wales in which every young carer from Conwy to Cardiff can access an ID card”.
ENDS
Written Questions:
- Will the Minister state what urgent steps will be taken to ensure that every young carer in Wales can access an ID card which explain their role?
- Will the Minister urgently write to all major supermarkets operating in Wales to inform them that young carers under the age of 16 should be given access to stores?
Notes:
