MP praises young carers

A Hamilton politician has praised Scotland’s young carers and encouraged them to take advantage of the Young Carer Package and Young Carers Grant.

Lanark and Hamilton East MP Angela Crawley says the grant helps eligible young carers aged 16, 17 or 18 access life opportunities that are the norm for many other young people.

Between its launch in October 2019 and October 31, 2020 Social Security Scotland approved 2045 applications – with over £600,000 being invested into supporting the young carers of Scotland.

The Scottish Government has provided £300,000 in extra funding for the Young Scot Young Carer Package this year to support young carers’wellbeing and enable them to take some form of a break.

Ms Crawley said:“over the past year with the coronavirus crisis, the pressure on young carers has been even greater than normal and so I want to use Young Carers Day to thank and commend all young carers in Scotland for the work they do – and encourage them to take advantage of the benefits available to them here in Scotland.

“The support the SNP Scottish Government has brought forward for carers in Scotland – including the Young Carers Grant and introducing the Carers Allowance Supplement for those in receipt of Carers Allowance shows the SNP’S ambition and what we can do when we have the powers.”