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Press releases
17 Jun 10 - Childhood and Families Taskforce
Commenting on the Government's announcement of a new Childhood and Families Taskforce, together with more legal rights for grandparents Sam Smethers, Chief Executive of Grandparents Plus said:
'We welcome the Government's announcement of more rights for grandparents. This legal change is long overdue. Our ageing society coupled with growing pressures on family life means grandparents are increasingly becoming the family lifeline. But they are under pressure too. This new Taskforce will have to get to grips with that changing reality.'
Commenting on the Government's announcement of a new Childhood and Families Taskforce, together with more legal rights for grandparents Sam Smethers, Chief Executive of Grandparents Plus said:
'We welcome the Government's announcement of more rights for grandparents. This legal change is long overdue. Our ageing society coupled with growing pressures on family life means grandparents are increasingly becoming the family lifeline. But they are under pressure too. This new Taskforce will have to get to grips with that changing reality.'
08 Jun 10 - UK lagging behind other countries in recognising crucial role of grandparents
Britain's grandparents are undervalued and overlooked compared to those in a number of other European countries, according to Grandparenting in Europe, a groundbreaking new study by charity Grandparents Plus, the Beth Johnson Foundation and the Institute of Gerontology at Kings College London. You can download a copy of the report here.
EU Report Press Release
Britain's grandparents are undervalued and overlooked compared to those in a number of other European countries, according to Grandparenting in Europe, a groundbreaking new study by charity Grandparents Plus, the Beth Johnson Foundation and the Institute of Gerontology at Kings College London. You can download a copy of the report here.
13 May 10 - Grandparents Plus welcomes landmark ruling on grandparent foster carers
Speaking in response to the news that a grandmother has won her 5 year battle to be paid the same rate as a foster carer for looking after her granddaughter Sam Smethers, Chief Executive of Grandparents Plus said:
'This ruling is highly significant. It means that local authorities will need to look again at their practice of paying famly and friends carers less than foster carers, or not paying them at all in many cases.'
'The system we have is unsustainable. More and more children are being taken in to care, yet there is a shortage of foster carers. Family and friends care provides a solution as local authorities struggle with our creaking care system. But they cannot go on doing it on the cheap. It is time that grandparents and other carers got a fair deal or local authorities may find themselves on the wrong side of the law.'
The case was brought by Nigel Priestley at Ridley and Hall Solicitors. Download a copy of their press release here
Speaking in response to the news that a grandmother has won her 5 year battle to be paid the same rate as a foster carer for looking after her granddaughter Sam Smethers, Chief Executive of Grandparents Plus said:
'This ruling is highly significant. It means that local authorities will need to look again at their practice of paying famly and friends carers less than foster carers, or not paying them at all in many cases.'
'The system we have is unsustainable. More and more children are being taken in to care, yet there is a shortage of foster carers. Family and friends care provides a solution as local authorities struggle with our creaking care system. But they cannot go on doing it on the cheap. It is time that grandparents and other carers got a fair deal or local authorities may find themselves on the wrong side of the law.'
The case was brought by Nigel Priestley at Ridley and Hall Solicitors. Download a copy of their press release here
25 Apr 10 - New web video
on becoming a young grandparent now available on Parentchannel.tv. Click here
on becoming a young grandparent now available on Parentchannel.tv. Click here
01 Apr 10 - Grandparents Guide
A new guide for grandparents Family Life has been launched by Grandparents Plus with advice and guidance on issues such as a new baby, living with teenagers, when parents part and crisis situations. Funded by DCSF, the guide has the backing of Agony Aunt Denise Robertson and Ed Balls.
Press Release Grandparents Guide
A new guide for grandparents Family Life has been launched by Grandparents Plus with advice and guidance on issues such as a new baby, living with teenagers, when parents part and crisis situations. Funded by DCSF, the guide has the backing of Agony Aunt Denise Robertson and Ed Balls.
29 Mar 10 - New Survey
The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission has found that grandparents are as influential as professional advisers. You can read more here.
The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission has found that grandparents are as influential as professional advisers. You can read more here.
03 Mar 10 - Protect Support Provide
Grandparents Plus and the Equality and Human Rights Commission have been working in partnership to explore older people's poverty and child poverty around grandparental care. We have found that grandparents are risking hardship themselves to provide growing childcare and support to their families.
Press Release Protect Support Provide
Grandparents Plus and the Equality and Human Rights Commission have been working in partnership to explore older people's poverty and child poverty around grandparental care. We have found that grandparents are risking hardship themselves to provide growing childcare and support to their families.
25 Jan 10 - New
Parent Channel TV programme about grandparents aged 40 or under. If you are a young grandparent and want to take part contact us at info@grandparentsplus.org.uk
Parent Channel TV programme about grandparents aged 40 or under. If you are a young grandparent and want to take part contact us at info@grandparentsplus.org.uk
20 Jan 10 - New
We welcome the strong focus on grandparents in the government Green Paper.
We welcome the strong focus on grandparents in the government Green Paper.
Under embargo until 00.01 hours, Wednesday 20 January
2010
Statement from Grandparents Plus on the announcement
by the Department for Children, Schools and Families of a 'New package of
measures to recognise grandparents' in the Families and Relationships Green
Paper
'We
welcome the strong focus on the role of grandparents in family life in the
government's Families and Relationships Green Paper - it reflects the growing
understanding of changing family life in
'We particularly support the proposals to remove
the requirement for Grandparents to seek leave from the court before they apply
for contact with their
grandchildren. This recognises the
important role grandparents play in caring for grandchildren.
'Additional legal rights for grandparents
and improved support for family and friends carers is certainly welcome. But what they really need is more financial
support - so we're still looking for government to do more.'
Ends
20 Jan 10 - New
Grandparents Plus is backing Kids in Museums Family Ticket Watch campaign. Does your family qualify for a family ticket? What needs to change? Be part of the campaign and have your say.
Grandparents Plus is backing Kids in Museums Family Ticket Watch campaign. Does your family qualify for a family ticket? What needs to change? Be part of the campaign and have your say.
26 Oct 09 - Recognition, Respect, Reward
A forgotten army of grandparent carers are living deep in poverty says a new survey by Grandparents Plus. More than on in three (38%) of grandparent carers looking after children are living 'below the poverty line and struggling to cope'. Many family and friends carers are battling to get children away from abuse or neglect but then finding it difficult to cope, overlooked by services and without emotional or financial support.
Download the press release
A forgotten army of grandparent carers are living deep in poverty says a new survey by Grandparents Plus. More than on in three (38%) of grandparent carers looking after children are living 'below the poverty line and struggling to cope'. Many family and friends carers are battling to get children away from abuse or neglect but then finding it difficult to cope, overlooked by services and without emotional or financial support.
07 Oct 09 - Grandparents Plus comments on David Willetts' speech
David Willetts has promised a ‘fair deal for grandparents’ in his speech at the Conservative Party Conference on 7th October 2009 – see extract below.
“For a start, we should be far more ready to turn to kith and kin if disaster strikes, and a child loses his or her parents. There are grandparents who would willingly take on responsibility for their grandchild in those tragic circumstances. But only 1 in 6 foster care placements are with family and friends. Only half of local authorities have a stated policy that family and friends should be considered a first option before fostering or taking a child into care. Family and friends, especially grandparents, must have a right to be legal guardians of the child. I pledge today a fair deal for grandparents.”
Commenting on David Willetts’ promise of a ‘fair deal for grandparents’ Sam Smethers, Chief Executive of Grandparents Plus said:
“We warmly welcome the Conservative Party’s focus on the role of grandparents and the wider family. But a fair deal means access to services and financial support when grandparents do step in to care for children, saving the taxpayer money by keeping them out of the care system. At the moment most grandparents in this situation receive no help from their local authorities.”
David Willetts has promised a ‘fair deal for grandparents’ in his speech at the Conservative Party Conference on 7th October 2009 – see extract below.
“For a start, we should be far more ready to turn to kith and kin if disaster strikes, and a child loses his or her parents. There are grandparents who would willingly take on responsibility for their grandchild in those tragic circumstances. But only 1 in 6 foster care placements are with family and friends. Only half of local authorities have a stated policy that family and friends should be considered a first option before fostering or taking a child into care. Family and friends, especially grandparents, must have a right to be legal guardians of the child. I pledge today a fair deal for grandparents.”
Commenting on David Willetts’ promise of a ‘fair deal for grandparents’ Sam Smethers, Chief Executive of Grandparents Plus said:
“We warmly welcome the Conservative Party’s focus on the role of grandparents and the wider family. But a fair deal means access to services and financial support when grandparents do step in to care for children, saving the taxpayer money by keeping them out of the care system. At the moment most grandparents in this situation receive no help from their local authorities.”
08 Sep 09 - My second mum and dad
A new generation of grandparents are closer than ever to their teenage grandchildren playing a critical role throughout their everyday lives, a unique survey published by national charity Grandparents Plus, reveals today.
Download the press release
A new generation of grandparents are closer than ever to their teenage grandchildren playing a critical role throughout their everyday lives, a unique survey published by national charity Grandparents Plus, reveals today.
22 Jun 09 - Under 55, poor, balancing work and caring
A new invisible generation of ‘gran- carers’ is caught in a cycle of deprivation and facing financial hardship, according to a new report from charity Grandparents Plus launched today.
Download the press release
A new invisible generation of ‘gran- carers’ is caught in a cycle of deprivation and facing financial hardship, according to a new report from charity Grandparents Plus launched today.
22 Apr 09 - Grandparents Plus response to Budget Statement
Responding to the statement made by Chancellor Alistair Darling MP said: “Increasingly grandparents play a big role in family life and in looking after their grandchildren. To reflect this we will, for the first time, ensure these caring responsibilities for grandparents of working age will count towards their entitlement to the basic state pension.”
Chief Executive, Sam Smethers said: “We warmly welcome the introduction of the Grandparent National Insurance Credit. We know that working age grandmothers on low incomes are the ones who are most likely to be providing that childcare. Until now they have done so with the risk that they could miss out on a full basic state pension.”
... “This is also an important victory for the principle that grandparental childcare does count and should be recognised. We believe it has implications for other areas of government policy.”
Responding to the statement made by Chancellor Alistair Darling MP said: “Increasingly grandparents play a big role in family life and in looking after their grandchildren. To reflect this we will, for the first time, ensure these caring responsibilities for grandparents of working age will count towards their entitlement to the basic state pension.”
Chief Executive, Sam Smethers said: “We warmly welcome the introduction of the Grandparent National Insurance Credit. We know that working age grandmothers on low incomes are the ones who are most likely to be providing that childcare. Until now they have done so with the risk that they could miss out on a full basic state pension.”
... “This is also an important victory for the principle that grandparental childcare does count and should be recognised. We believe it has implications for other areas of government policy.”
25 Mar 09 - Grandparents should be ‘paid’ for childcare and given two weeks ‘granny leave’
Grandparents should be ‘paid’ tax credits for childcare and those in work given two weeks ‘granny leave’ to help care for newborn grandchildren according to a report published today by Grandparents Plus.
Download the press release
Grandparents should be ‘paid’ tax credits for childcare and those in work given two weeks ‘granny leave’ to help care for newborn grandchildren according to a report published today by Grandparents Plus.
24 Feb 09 - Blunkett backs call to end grandparent pensions penalty
Former Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, David Blunkett MP has thrown his weight behind the campaign to end the pensions penalty for working age grandparents who care for grandchildren.
Download the press release
Former Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, David Blunkett MP has thrown his weight behind the campaign to end the pensions penalty for working age grandparents who care for grandchildren.
29 Jan 09 - Daily Mail Grandparents Campaign
Commenting on the Daily Mail Grandparents Campaign Sam Smethers, Chief Executive of Grandparents Plus said: “This story should not be about the sexuality of prospective adopters. What matters is the grandparents's relationship with the children. All too often grandparents find themselves dismissed from children's lives when in fact they can be fundamental roots and anchors for children, particularly in times of crisis. It is time that we really began to focus on and value the child's relationship with whoever is important to them.”
On the question of age discrimination she added: “We want to see forthcoming age discrimination legislation in the Equality Bill used to test some of these decisions. We will be pursuing the issue in parliament to ensure that children's services are covered by the new laws.”
Commenting on the Daily Mail Grandparents Campaign Sam Smethers, Chief Executive of Grandparents Plus said: “This story should not be about the sexuality of prospective adopters. What matters is the grandparents's relationship with the children. All too often grandparents find themselves dismissed from children's lives when in fact they can be fundamental roots and anchors for children, particularly in times of crisis. It is time that we really began to focus on and value the child's relationship with whoever is important to them.”
On the question of age discrimination she added: “We want to see forthcoming age discrimination legislation in the Equality Bill used to test some of these decisions. We will be pursuing the issue in parliament to ensure that children's services are covered by the new laws.”
13 Jan 09 - MPs back call to end grandparent pensions penalty
A cross-party group of MPs has backed Grandparents Plus' call to end the pensions penalty for working age grandparents who care for their grandchildren for 20 hours per week or more. You can download our press release and a copy of our Q&A briefing below, view the monitor signatures to the early day motion here.
Former Work and Pensions Secretary, David Blunkett has now backed the campaign saying: “This is the missing part of the jigsaw in the radical re-shaping of pensions and the greater equality of provision which the Government started back in 2005 and which always intended to recognise carers of whatever age, including the tremendous personal commitment of grandparents. It is vital that this addition should be accepted to bring about fair treatment for all.”
The Welfare Reform Bill Committee debated John Robertson MP's amendment to the bill to introduce the NI Credit for working age grandparents. You can read the debate and the Minister's positive response here.
Pensions Penalty Press Release
Pensions Penalty Q&A Briefing
A cross-party group of MPs has backed Grandparents Plus' call to end the pensions penalty for working age grandparents who care for their grandchildren for 20 hours per week or more. You can download our press release and a copy of our Q&A briefing below, view the monitor signatures to the early day motion here.
Former Work and Pensions Secretary, David Blunkett has now backed the campaign saying: “This is the missing part of the jigsaw in the radical re-shaping of pensions and the greater equality of provision which the Government started back in 2005 and which always intended to recognise carers of whatever age, including the tremendous personal commitment of grandparents. It is vital that this addition should be accepted to bring about fair treatment for all.”
The Welfare Reform Bill Committee debated John Robertson MP's amendment to the bill to introduce the NI Credit for working age grandparents. You can read the debate and the Minister's positive response here.
