MP Welcomes Carers Week

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 11th Jun 2003

Norman Lamb, the Liberal Democrat MP for North Norfolk, has given his strong support to Carers Week, which is taking place this week. The high point of events in North Norfolk is the late spring luncheon of the North-East Norfolk Carers Group, at the Dormy House Hotel in West Runton this Thursday.

"There is a desperate need for carers to receive increased remuneration for the outstanding work they do," commented Norman Lamb. "The list of tasks which hands-on carers have to perform is seemingly endless, and I have great admiration for them. It is time the Government recognised the extent of the contribution carers make."

Last week, at his constituency surgery in Cromer, Norman Lamb met with two representatives of the North-East Norfolk Carers Group, Lorna Fish and Dorothy McDonald. Among the issues they discussed was the extremely complicated nature of many of the official forms people have to fill out for benefit applications, and the confusing range of different benefits now available.

"I have received many complaints about both these matters," said Mr Lamb. "These forms are often so complicated that people are put off claiming benefits to which they are entitled, and for which they often have an urgent need. I will be taking this up with the relevant authorities."