It was great to meet today with young carers from across the country as part of Young Carers’ Action Day. After joining a group, including a representative from Sheffield Young Carers, presenting a letter to the Prime Minister in Downing Street, I chaired an event in Parliament at which MPs and Peers were asked to sign the following pledge: 

I will work with my local carer support organisation(s) to champion the needs of young carers and young adult carers – and I will encourage: 

1. Local authorities and NHS commissioners to have proactive local strategies to identify and support young carers and young adult carers.  

1. Schools, colleges and universities to have a Young Carers Lead/Champion with responsibility for identifying and supporting young carers and student carers.  

1. Local authorities to help young carers and young adult carers to realise their statutory rights, have breaks from caring and make successful transitions into adulthood.  

1. Local authorities to have a Memorandum of Understanding between relevant agencies and organisations to ensure an integrated whole-family approach to identification and support for young carers and their families. 

As the Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Young Carers and Young Adult Carers I am committed to making sure the voices of young and young adult carers are heard in Westminster, and I look forward to the work we have lined up for the rest of the year with the APPG.