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Carers

I agree with how our Chairman, the hon. Member for Bradford, North (Mr. Rooney), put it. There are lots of different pockets of money, all of which are no doubt being used to help carers, but there is not a strong enough network and a clear enough brand to help carers in the way that they need. The joy of the Harrogate centre is that it is just there, bold as brass. A sign says ““Carers Centre”” so we knew where to go and that was that. There is a lot to be said for something that is more solid in the way of branding and for strengthening of the network. I am not sure whether that would require extra budget. It may be a question of pulling together the money, getting the branding right and making a simpler statement and a stronger network. I welcome the national helpline and the website, but feel that we should consider improving arrangements for employment and study. I notice that the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills is setting up an adult advancement and careers service in the autumn. Hopefully, that will have some focus on carers. However, how does trying to encourage carers to take work and support them in work fit in with the 21-hour rule that says that someone can train or study only for a limited period? If the Government are so keen on skills—I certainly am and we know about the Freud report—what is the sense of continuing with such a limiting rule? Why have the Government frozen the amount that a person can earn while receiving carer's allowance? We suggested that the system should be simplified so that the uprating and the threshold go up at the same time. The Government's response was to freeze the threshold and give no help at all. I support what has already been said about this report, and hope that the Minister will answer those questions.