On Monday 18 June I joined local carers at the Guildhall, Leicester for a cup of tea to mark the start of National Carers Week. This celebrates the vital contribution Britain’s six million unpaid carers make to the people they care for, and to our local communities.

The carers I spoke to told me about some of the difficulties they face when looking after their loved ones. Too often carers struggle to get information about what services are available locally. Sometimes the right support isn’t there, or is too expensive. Carer’s own health, and their ability to work and hold down a job, can suffer as a result.

That’s why I am delighted that the City Council, our local NHS and carers’ organisations have joined forces to produce a new Carers Strategy. This will focus on identifying carers and making sure they get the advice, services, and practical support they need, including short breaks.

In Parliament I’m calling on the Government to ensure there is a new system for funding care services, and to ensure these services work together better to help older and disabled people and their families.