East Surrey MP, Peter Ainsworth, has written to the Chief Executive of Surrey Primary Care Trust, Chris Butler, to seek his assurance that funds made available to them under the Government’s Carers’ Strategy are spent on their intended purpose.

Last year’s Carers Strategy made £150 million available nationally to provide respite care for carers; of this Surrey Primary Care Trust has been granted £978, 420 in 2009/10 and £1.5 million in 2010/11.

Mr Ainsworth was contacted by Richard Storey, Chair of East Surrey Carers Support Association (ESCSA) who raised his concern that this money has not been ring-fenced, and could be spent elsewhere as a result.

Of the available funds, Surrey PCT have so far only committed to spending £100, 000 on “needs assessment,” but ESCSA have said that significant research has already been done locally in Surrey and that this is unnecessary.

Mr Ainsworth said:

“I am deeply concerned that this money could be spent anywhere but on providing respite care for carers. I will do all I can to ensure that this money is ring-fenced and spent on its intended recipients.

“Caring for a loved one who is ill or frail is incredibly demanding – both physically and mentally – and the Government have rightly recognised that more needs to be done. Carers don’t need another report from the PCT, they need help.”