This is indeed an important debate. The Welsh Labour Government greatly values the vital role that young adult carers play in supporting those they care for, and this is reflected in the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014, which provides for enhanced rights for all carers in Wales. The Act gave carers for the first time the same rights as they people whom they care for. Carers no longer needed to demonstrate that they provide significant care in order to have their needs assessed and receive the support available to them. Local authorities now have a statutory duty to proactively inform carers of their right to be assessed, and on completion of that assessment, must put in place arrangements to meet the needs identified and put a statutory care plan in place. Where this does not happen, it should.

It reflects the principle that carers, if effectively supported, provide a preventative service in their own right, enabling people who are frail, vulnerable or who have long-term conditions to stay living at home longer as members of their local communities. Implementation of the Act is still at a relatively early stage, and the Welsh Government in its actions fully recognises that more needs to be done to ensure that carers are aware of their rights. As has been stated, a ministerial advisory group has been established to drive forward proactive implementation of the Act and to oversee the three national priorities identified by Welsh Government to improve the lives of carers.

And in order to support the delivery of the Wales enhanced carers rights under the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act, the Welsh Labour Government has provided nearly £1.1 million annually to local health boards to work collaboratively with partners to deliver against those national priorities. A targeted portion of this funding is ring-fenced specifically to support young carers. And in recognition, in November 2018, the Welsh Labour Government announced an additional £50 million of funding to support carers and adults with care needs. This new additional funding will bolster progress on delivering those national priorities and will allow third sector organisations to investigate ways to improve the quality and appropriateness of respite support for carers of all ages in Wales. This is absolutely critical.

Carers have also been brought into the remit of the Welsh Government's £60 million integrated care fund. The ICF can now be used to fund innovative work that supports a more integrated and more collaborative approach for carers and their loved ones, and that is a recognition. So, as a nation with an industrial heritage and the greater ill health that is associated with such a legacy, we know that Wales has the highest proportion of carers in the UK, more than in any one region of England at 12 per cent, and the highest proportion of older carers and of carers providing more than 50 hours of care a week. So, with that increase in the older population, we are likely to see more older people in a caring role, with the number of carers over 85 predicted to double in the next 20 years.

The Welsh Labour Government is committed to improving the lives of carers of all ages, and wants to support carers so that they can have a life outside of those caring responsibilities. And I know from my own constituency of Islwyn that Caerphilly County Borough Council has sought to proactively tackle the emergency needs of carers via a range of innovative measures, including advice on dealing with emergencies, and an emergency card scheme together with the carers time-out service, enabling carers to better access time to actually be able to attend their own appointments for their own health needs.

However, there is recognition across the Chamber that still much more is needed to be done in such a critical and important arena, especially for the young people of Wales. And as such, I will be supporting the forthcoming Carers Week in Islwyn, and that Carers Week is an annual proactive campaign, as we know, to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges carers face, and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK. With the right information, caring is possible, but it is tough, and if it's not properly supported, it will be even tougher if you're a child. So, I take this opportunity to urge all Members present to highlight the work of young carers during Carers Week in June across their constituencies and regions.

To conclude, Deputy Llywydd, I know that the Welsh Government will continue to advance the rights of young carers, and I look forward, very much, to hearing what further strategic actions we can take in this critical regard. Thank you.