(2) what recent discussions she has had with the Welsh Assembly Government on the implementation of the Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act 2004 in Wales; and if she will make a statement;
(3) what recent discussions she has had with the Welsh Assembly Government on its decision to appoint a carers champion within government and the implications of that decision in England; and if she will make a statement;
(4) whether she has made an assessment of the policy towards carers in other EU countries; and if she will make a statement.
This Government have noted the call for the establishment of such a post but we believe that existing national directors, for example in relation to social care, older people and disease-specific groups such as cancer and diabetes, should already be taking the needs of carers into account.
In addition, we believe it is more appropriate that local health and social care professionals work together to support carers locally. This is why, in the White Paper, we encourage councils and primary care trusts to nominate leads for carers’ services.
We have not made an assessment of the policy towards carers in other European Union countries neither have we had any discussions with the Welsh Assembly Government on the implementation of the Carers Equal Opportunities Act 2004 in Wales.