North Lanarkshire Council is increasing the investment in services for carers over the next three years.

The council receives £627,500 annually from the Scottish Executive but this figure has not increased since 2001. The council has contributed an additional £40,000, and has now agreed to increase this further by just over £55,500 by 2008/09.

A total of £685,523 is available for the current financial year 2006/07. Grants totalling £657,721 have been allocated to date, with the remaining funds to be allocated later in the year. All applications are considered by the Carers Strategy Implementation Group that includes representatives from carers, carers’ organisations, health services and social work.

Around 350 carers attended a lunch reception this week hosted by North Lanarkshire Council. The annual event, which took place in the Civic Centre in Motherwell, recognises the commitment of carers who provide help and support to a relative, partner, friend or neighbour who, due to illness, frailty or disability, otherwise would not be able to live independently.

Councillor Harry McGuigan, Convener of the Social Work Committee, said:

"Carers provide a very important service to many older people, people who are ill or with a disability. They offer practical help and care that improves the quality of life of those that they care for. This is often a 24/7 service, it is unpaid and can be stressful and intensive, making a significant impact on the daily lives of the carers themselves.

"Through our annual carers’ reception, we have an opportunity to say a special thank you for the vital work that carers do. The council and the health service provide a variety of services that support carers and give them a break from their responsibilities. We have decided to increase the amount that the council contributes towards these services, to help extend the support we can give to carers."

The council, through the Carers Strategy Implementation Group, has published the North Lanarkshire Strategy for Carers 2005 to 2008, which outlines the objectives of the council and its partners to improve and develop services for carers.

In North Lanarkshire, there are approximately 33,000 carers, of whom an estimated 19,000 provide care for up to 19 hours a week, and over 9,000 provide care for 50 hours or more each week.