Health written question – answered at on 21 July 2009.
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his most recent estimate is of the number of young carers; and if he will make a statement.
I have been asked to reply.
The 2001 census, which is the only source of national data on the number of carers of all ages, indicated that there were some 175,000 children and young people aged under 18 across the UK who were offering some care to family members, neighbours, friends or others.
The census records young people who are described by the adults in the household as offering care to their families or communities. This includes young people who are responsible for the care of a family member (which is how young carers are usually defined) plus others who may provide more occasional support for neighbours and friends.
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