VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Carers: West Dorset

Asked by Edward MorelloLiberal DemocratDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled Answered 21 July 2025UIN 67259

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of making caring a protected characteristic on carers in (a) rural communities and (b) West Dorset.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock

The Government is committed to ensuring that families have the support that they need.

People with caring responsibilities are afforded protections under the Equality Act 2010 by provisions relating to age and disability discrimination.

The act also protects people from direct discrimination “by association”, meaning that individuals with caring responsibilities for someone who is a child, elderly, or disabled has protection from unlawful discrimination due to their association with someone with a recognised protected characteristic.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim