THE SNP has become the second party in Glasgow to promise to appoint a champion to fight for city carers.

Last week, Labour group leader Gordon Matheson said he wanted to appoint a carers' champion to support the city's unsung heroes.

Nationalists have now said they also want to appoint a champion for carers and plan to create a carers' council.

David McDonald, Glasgow SNP spokesman for social care, said: "Carers have told me what they really want is a say in the policies that affect their lives and those they care for.

"So the SNP is promising to set up a carers' council to allow carers and young carers to raise issues that impact most on their lives with councillors and council officers.

"We will take forward the issues raised in these meetings that fall within the council's remit and will work with the Scottish Government, the NHS and the voluntary sector to consider the issues that are their responsibility.

"A carers' council is only the first step in creating a new relationship between the city council and more than 66,000 carers in Glasgow.

"Many carers have experienced frustration in dealing with the council. The SNP will introduce a carers' champion, an officer sitting at a strategic level, who will scrutinise every council policy to ensure it will not be a detriment to the lives of carers and who can help put in place a better system of support for carers."

Mr McDonald said a lack of flexibility in employment often causes difficulties for people looking after a family member.

He added: "The SNP will establish a city-wide 'Caring For Carers' employers Kitemark for companies that offer support and flexibility to those helping us to meet Scotland's caring needs.

"An SNP administration in Glasgow will be good for carers. We will work with them to put in place the support they need to continue in their caring role.

"We will include them in decision making and we will always make sure they feel valued for the important work they do."

vivienne.nicoll@ eveningtimes.co.uk

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