Diane Abbott MP has called for greater recognition of the UK’s six million carers.

The Shadow Health Minister and MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington paid tribute to all those people who provide unpaid care for someone who is ill, frail or disabled.

and timed their call for more support to coincide with annual Carers Week (13-19 June).

Ms Abbott, who is supporting next month’s Carers Week which runs from June 13 to 19, said: “Thousands of people in Hackney sacrifice not only their time, but also their money and their health in order to care for a loved one. Together they save this country an incredible �119 billion every year.

“They deserve to be recognised for their contribution to both our local community and to wider society,” she added.

“I also want to let them know that there are services out there to help them. Caring can be so incredibly demanding. It’s important that carers know that they don’t have to struggle on alone.”

The theme for Carers Week 2011 is ‘The True Face of Carers’. It calls for greater recognition for the diverse range of people who have caring responsibilities because the work they carry out is vital for their families and friends, and for their communities.

Carers Week is organised by a partnership of nine national charities: Age UK, Carers UK, Counsel and Care, Crossroads Care, Dementia UK, Macmillan Cancer Support, MS Society, Parkinson’s UK, and The Princess Royal Trust for Carers.