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Gordon Brown has welcomed carers' groups to Number 10 to mark the launch of the new £250 million Carers' Strategy.
Speaking to guests inside Downing Street yesterday, the PM said that carers represented "the best of our country" through their "enormous contribution" to the lives of families around the UK.
The Government's new million Carers' Strategy includes £150 million set aside to help carers with respite breaks from their caring responsibilities and £6 million towards helping young carers.
Health minister Ivan Lewis said carers were "at the heart of 21st century families" and that "the responsibilities we ask of carers have never been greater". The new stategy also contained measures aimed at improving awareness among employers of carers' rights and pilot schemes to provide carers with regular health checks.
Imelda Redmond, chief executive of Carers UK, said the launch of the strategy signalled an "historic day" for carers.
