David Ruffley today called for carers to be given better support at the workplace and by St Edmundsbury Borough Council. Speaking in advance of Carers Week (June 9-15) David said carers in the Bury St Edmunds constituency deserve better support. He welcomes and supports the proposed Age Concern day-care centre at the renovated Elsey's Yard historic building in Bury St Edmunds.

David said: 'Without carers looking after their loved ones there would be massive extra demands on the NHS and social services. Over half of all carers continue to work and contribute to the local economy, often juggling their different roles with considerable difficulty.

"The main problem for many carers is the lack of flexibility at the workplace. Carers need more flexible working arrangements than is currently on offer in many cases.

"St Edmundsbury Borough Council can help as well. Many carers have told me about the problems of day-care services available only for limited periods of the day. That is why I am so supportive of Age Concern's project to renovate Elsey's Yard and open the building as a day centre. I have thrown my weight behind their bid for funding from St Edmundsbury Borough Council and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

"Carers are also concerned about the lack of funding for replacement and short-term breaks, that there is an absence of evening and weekend services in a supposed 24-hour society, and that childcare services frequently do not cater for disabled children.

"Carers contribute much through their dedicated and unpaid help and deserve our unstinting support.'