John Pugh and the Liberal Democrats will give people give 1,670 carers in Southport a £250 ‘Carer’s Bonus’ for looking after loved ones who are older, disabled or seriously ill.

The annual payment would be a boost to an army of unsung heroes who work tirelessly to care for their friends and relatives. 

This policy is part of a £150m package to help make the lives of Britain’s 6.5 million carers that bit easier. It forms part of our Disability Manifesto published last week.

The measures include: 

• A new Carer’s Passport to allow unpaid carers certain privileges, that could include free hospital parking, free cinema tickets and free gym sessions.
• Increasing ‘care leave’ by five days and extending the ‘earning limit’ to allow carers to work more without losing their Carer’s Allowance.
• Create a cross-government Carer’s Champion to ensure carers get a voice at the heart of government.

John: "Carers provide an unprecedented level of support and care to loved ones which would be impossible to replace. It is vital that their work and commitment is recognized; I hope that this carers bonus, as part of our disability manifesto, goes someway towards this".