Local MSP Jackie Baillie has backed more support for carers in Dumbarton, Vale of Leven and Helensburgh.

The Labour MSP will back amendments to the Carers Bill to beef up the powers of the Care Inspectorate.

Under plans from Scottish Labour, the Care Inspectorate will be given responsibility for inspecting the standards and provision of carer services across Scotland.

This will mean that support groups, and information and advice centres for carers meet a national standard.

There are an estimated 7462 carers in Dumbarton Constituency.  Jackie said that too often carers feel isolated, and that Labour’s plans will deliver the extra support carers deserve.

Speaking ahead of Carers Week, Jackie Baillie MSP called on Scotland’s other political parties to back their plans.

Jackie said:

“Carers Week is one of the most important weeks of the year, as for too long the work of Scotland’s unpaid carers goes unrecognised and unsupported.

“Carers UK estimate that carers save Scotland £10 billion a year, the absolute least we can deliver is more support for the over 7000 carers in Dumbarton, Vale of Leven and Helensburgh and Lomond.

“That’s why I will be voting to beef up the powers of the Care Inspectorate, to make them responsible for carers services and support. I am calling on the other political parties at Holyrood to put people before politics and deliver a better deal for Scotland’s carers.”