THE prospective Liberal Democrat MP for South West Hertfordshire has promised to reward carers who work more than 50 hours each week, if his party is elected.
Christopher Townsend suggested that the care that unpaid carers provide costs more than £1.2million using paid support.
Mr Townsend said: "Many carers in the community work flat out without any time off. They are committed to looking after friends, relatives and loved ones - yet ask for nothing in return. It's essential that we give something back."
The Liberal Democrats announced their 'respite for carers' policy last month, pledging to guarantee carers a personal budget each year to cover the cost of one week's caring.
The party says the scheme will be paid for by redirecting some £420million put aside by Labour for the Personal Care at Home Bill, plus £100million which has already allocated to the government's carers strategy.
