That the Parliament welcomes Carers Week 2026, which is an annual campaign that will take place from 8 to 14 June 2026; notes that the theme for 2026 is Building Carer Friendly Communities, which aims to highlight the impact that carer friendly communities can have in making a real and lasting difference to the lives of carers across Scotland; recognises that Carers Week is organised by five charities, including Carers Scotland, Carers Trust Scotland, MND Scotland, the Lewy Body Society and Age Scotland; understands that hundreds of events will be held across the country, which will reach out to thousands of unpaid carers and young carers; recognises the significant contribution that is made by unpaid carers, who, it believes, are the backbone of Scotland’s health and social care system and without whom it would collapse; notes what it sees as the inequalities faced by unpaid carers, including a greater risk of poverty, social isolation, poor mental and physical health as well as potentially missed opportunities in their education, careers, or personal lives, just because of their caring role; believes that the care that they provide saves the economy £15.9 billion each year; further believes that every effort should be made during the current parliamentary session to recognise the contribution made by unpaid carers across Scotland, including South Scotland, and to ensure that unpaid carers of all ages receive the support that they need to address the inequalities they face, and wishes Carers Week 2026 every success.
Supported by: Karen Adam, Colin Beattie, Dawn Black, Miles Briggs, Ariane Burgess, Kate Campbell, Maggie Chapman, Katy Clark, Iris Duane, Duncan Dunlop, Tim Eagle, Patricia Gibson, Adam Harley, Calum Kerr, Amanda Lindsay, Joe Long, Julie MacDougall, Fulton MacGregor, Liam McArthur, Helen McDade, Cara McKee, Paul McLennan, Stuart McMillan, Marie McNair, Jenni Minto, Laura Moodie, Kate Nevens, David Smith, Paul Sweeney