To raise awareness within the Scottish Parliament of the issues facing Scotland's 660,000 unpaid carers, Carers Scotland is organising an event for MSPs at Holyrood during Carers Week on 14 June 2006.

Carers Scotland has invited all 129 MSPs to attend our event and/or support the Parliamentary Motion detailed in the right hand box.

If your MSP has not agreed to attend or has not signed the parliamentary motion on the right hand side of this page, download a copy of a sample letter for MSPs below. Send it to your MSP asking him/her to support working carers by attending the MSP reception on 14th June 2006 at the Scottish Parliament or by signing the Parliamentary Motion.

You can find out who is your MSP and their email by clicking here.  Alternatively, you can send your letter to your MSP at The Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh, EH99 1SP.

MSPs attending Carers Week event on 14 June 2006

• Cathy Peattie (Sponsor)
• Richard Baker
• Roseanna Cunningham
• David Davidson
• Fergus Ewing
• Karen Gillon
• Marlyn Glen
• Donald Gorrie
• Christine Grahame
• Robin Harper
• Fiona Hyslop
• Carolyn Leckie
• Kate Maclean
• Christine May
• Frank McAveety
• Maureen Macmillan
• Nanette Milne
• Margaret Mitchell
• Bristow Muldoon
• Nora Radliffe
• Shona Robison
• Mike Rumbles
• John Swinney
• Maureen Watt
• Allan Wilson

MSPs who have supported the parliamentary motion 

• Cathy Peattie (Sponsor)
• Margaret Jamieson
• Michael Matheson
• Bill Butler
• Mike Pringle
• Patrick Harvie
• Dr Elaine Murray
• Tommy Sheridan
• Mrs Mary Mulligan
• Donald Gorrie
• Maureen Macmillan
• Eleanor Scott
• Mr John Swinney
• Christine May
• Mr Charlie Gordon
• Richard Lochhead
• Jackie Baillie
• Kate Maclean
• Ms Sandra White
• Ms Maureen Watt
• Chris Ballance
• Marlyn Glen
• Scott Barrie
• Sarah Boyack
• Bruce Crawford
• Mr David Davidson
• Linda Fabiani
• Robin Harper
• Marilyn Livingstone
• Mr Kenneth Macintosh
• Dr Jean Turner
• Trish Godman
• Christine Grahame
• Frances Curran
• Karen Whitefield
• Dr Sylvia Jackson
• Rosie Kane
• Mr Frank McAveety
• Murray Tosh
• Shona Robison
• Dennis Canavan
• Shiona Baird
• Mr Ted Brocklebank
• David McLetchie
• John Swinburne
• Tricia Marwick
• Fergus Ewing
• Bill Aitken
• Mr Mark Ruskell
• Janis Hughes
• Roseanna Cunningham
• Iain Smith
• Rob Gibson
• Mr Bruce McFee
• Nicola Sturgeon
• Euan Robson
• Mike Rumbles
• Derek Brownlee
• Mr Jamie McGrigor
• Mr Adam Ingram
• Nora Radcliff
• Margaret Mitchell
• John Scott

S2M-4445# Cathy Peattie: Carers Week 2006—That the Parliament notes that 12 to 18 June is Carers Week 2006; recognises the valuable work of national and local carers’ organisations, such as Carers Scotland and the Falkirk and Clackmannanshire Carers Centre which this year celebrates its 10th anniversary; recognises the importance of supporting carers in employment and enabling them to fulfil their caring and work responsibilities without detriment to their own health and well-being; notes that the health of the Scottish economy depends on the health and well-being of unpaid carers and their ability to juggle work and care; further notes that recent research has shown that 58% of carers who provide a substantial amount of care give up work because of their caring responsibilities, and believes that the Scottish Executive, local government and employers should consider and support the adoption of flexible alternative care solutions and carer-friendly working arrangements to give more carers the opportunity to remain in, or take up, employment.