Local carers make parliament visit

TWO local MSPs, Graeme Dey (Angus South) and Nigel Don (Angus North & Mearns), welcomed a group of local carers to the Scottish Parliament building in Edinburgh last week.

Mr Dey had visited Angus Carers Centre in Arbroath earlier this year and invited them to come along and see First Minister’s Questions (FMQs). The carers came from Forfar, Letham, Arbroath, Kirriemuir, Carnoustie amongst a number of other towns and villages in the county.

During exchanges in FMQs, Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who stood in for Alex Salmond due to his engagements in the UAE, noted the record 10,600 respite weeks provided for carers.

Ms Sturgeon also flagged up the importance the SNP Government placed on ensuring carers plight remained at the top of the agenda and underlined the need for all parties to work together to improve carers’ plight.

Commenting afterwards, Mr Dey said: “I was pleased to welcome so many carers from my constituency to the Parliament.

“Carers play a vital role in Scottish society – one which far too often goes unrecognised, but which is essential in terms of the help they provide.

“Nigel and I were delighted to have the opportunity to show the group from Angus around the Holyrood building, including inside the Debating Chamber.

“What made the visit particularly pertinent was having the issue of carers respite being raised in the Holyrood Chamber – it was wonderful to see the Deputy First Minister touching on many of the important questions which are at the heart of improving help for carers. I know everyone who came along from Angus Carers will have been delighted to hear the Deputy First Minister address this issue during FMQs.

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