Michael Mullaney welcomes promise to Carers’ the country’s unsung heroes

More than 1,300 people in Hinckley and Bosworth will receive a bonus worth up to £250-a-year under a Liberal Democrat government, it has been announced.

The no strings attached Carer's Bonus will help more than one million people who look after disabled loved-ones.

The annual payment will help full-time carers get a bit of extra help and recognises the invaluable contribution they make to society.

This is on top of the £800 million Lib Dems have secured in government to fund short breaks for disabled children and their families and £400 million has been set aside to support carers to take breaks from caring responsibilities.

In total 1,360 carers in Hinckley and Bosworth will benefit from the Carer's Bonus.

Cllr Michael Mullaney, Liberal Democrat parliamentary spokesman for Hinckley and Bosworth said:

"Carers are Britain's unsung heroes. Up and down the country behind closed doors, you'll find a hidden army of carers doing amazing things every day.

"It is estimated that six in ten of us will at some point in our lives find ourselves caring for someone else - an elderly relative, a sick child, a friend who needs our support.

"These are people who deserve our support even in straightened times, which is why the Liberal Democrat manifesto will include a Carer's Bonus to give them a little extra help.

"It's completely up to the carers themselves how they spend it - it's a no strings attached bonus from a party that is grateful for the superhuman work they do."

The bonus would be worth £125 at the start of the next parliament and would rise to £250-a-year by 2020, with around 1.1 million people eligible.

The annual bonus would be available to anyone who receives the Carer's Allowance or the Carer's Premium.

Liberal Democrat Care Minister, Norman Lamb added:

"We know how hard carers work and that one of the most important things to them is getting a break every now again.

"It is why the Liberal Democrats will introduce this Carer's Bonus if we are in government again after the General Election.

"But it's not for us to dictate to them what they do with it - carers know best how to spend the money in the way that will most benefit them and the people they care for."

The pledge follows a number of measures introduced by the Coalition Government to support carers.

Successive Liberal Democrat Care Ministers Paul Burstow and Norman Lamb have led the work to better provide for Britain's unsung heroes.

£3 million has been allocated to improve awareness and understanding about carers among health workers.

Former Care Minister Paul Burstow MP said:

"Carers are the backbone of our health and care system.

"In my work developing the party's response to the challenges and opportunities of our ageing society, I have been determined that we do more to support carers.

"The Carer's Bonus recognises the contribution carers make day in day out. I am delighted Nick is signalling carers as a priority for our party."