Greens urge First Minister to press ahead with Young Carers Allowance
A Scottish Green MSP has challenged the Scottish Government to introduce a Young Carer Allowance after a report revealed that young carers tend to “live in more deprived circumstances than the average young population”.
Soon after the election in May 2016, the First Minister said she would "consider the introduction of a young carers allowance", a Scottish Greens’ manifesto commitment, adding that it "has real merit".
The report by the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland details how there are 29,000 young carers in Scotland who are responsible for “practical and /or emotional caring responsibilities that would normally be expected of an adult”.
Alison Johnstone MSP, the Scottish Greens’ health and young people spokesperson, said:
"This report demonstrates that young carers both need and deserve extra financial help through the introduction of a Young Carer Allowance. The young carers in the CYPCS study are almost twice as likely to live in the 15% most deprived areas of Scotland than the average young person.
“Whilst the study finds caring to be a generally positive experience, the survey shows young carers face a range of challenges around their health and wellbeing, and better support packages, including financial support, could play a role in helping young carers cope with those challenges."