National Assembly for Wales should get more powers in order to improve the lives of carers in Wales.

The National Assembly for Wales should get more powers to make laws in the area of carers.

That’s the recommendation of the Assembly’s Legislation Committee No.3 which has been scrutinising the Welsh Assembly Government’s proposed Carers LCO(Legislative Competence Order).

Members agree with the minister’s view  that the new law-making powers could be used to address the variation in carers’ assessments and services provided to carers in different parts of Wales.

Committee Chair, Dr Dai Lloyd AM said

“The committee is strongly of the view that the National Assembly for Wales should have the power to make law in this area.  We consulted widely and the main concern we found was that carers’ assessment and services for carers are patchy across Wales and that we have not yet achieved the joined up approach needed, across social services and the NHS, to identify more carers and to provide more services to them.”

It has consulted many stakeholders across the field of social care.

“We wholeheartedly support the general principle that legislative competence is conferred to the National Assembly for Wales,’’ said the Carers Alliance and Carers Wales.

“This will support the provision of care by carers and promote the well-being of carers.”

The Children’s Commissioner for Wales, Keith Towler also gave evidence to the committee.

He said: “The levels of disability and long-term illness in Wales would suggest that a holistic and robust approach is needed to address the gaps in support for young carers”

While the Older People’s Commissioner, Ruth Marks said in her evidence: “It is evident that supporting the provision of care by carers and promoting the well-being of carers is a key area of need over which the Welsh Assembly Government should have legislative competence.”