Today is Carers' Day and I hope all MPs will think of the home carers in East Sussex, of whom there are more than 44,500.

It appears a patchy pilot scheme of respite vouchers has recently been put in place until March 31 next year.

We hope this will continue and be given to all assessed carers on an equal basis across the UK.

Under Carers' Allowance Law, each carer on the allowance is allowed eight weeks' holiday a year.

Where is the respite car for the loved ones? Carers' allowance is paid under certain circumstances as compensation for not being able to work, even to people over 65 years, who receive £42 a week for caring 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

I am advised those who work these hours are not eligible for industrial injuries.

While all sectors are arguing pay deals, it would be nice if the Government gave us a minimum wage for a basic 40-hour week.

We save the Government billions a year and get no, or patchy, services and for some people it is too little too late.

We need respite centres in every town. We are looking for sponsors to support a new charity being set up, Carers Angels, Sussex.

We look forward to hearing from retired doctors and nurses and other retired people with spare time. We would like a cross section of the community to be involved, even our MPs.

We look forward to hearing from interested persons at the address given or call 01323 483110.

-Mrs R P Freeman (Carers UK), 3 Old School Close, Polegate BN26 6BF