The standing commission on carers has met for the first time since the government's launch of its Carers' Strategy last month. The strategy was set up for carers to have the opportunity to be valued for their contribution to society.

However, serious questions remain about whether resources will be available to achieve what the strategy is promising. And unsurprisingly, disappointment was voiced over the failure to give carers an immediate financial rise of the current £50.55 per week carer's allowance.

On the positive side it is thought that within 10 years, carers should finally be recognised as expert partners in care, have a life of their own and not be forced into financial hardship by their role.

Director-general for social care David Behan, has presented the commission with some of the background information and figures on why the UK needs a new care and support system.

The role of the standing commission is to ensure the government remains committed to the carers’ strategy aims, but also that carers are integral to next year's planned green paper and their financial wellbeing taken into account in the next government spending review.