Local MP for Gosport, Dame Caroline Dinenage, is backing the new Private Members’ Bill which could see millions of unpaid carers – people who look after older, disabled, or seriously ill relatives and friends – better supported in the workplace.
The Carer’s Leave Bill would introduce a landmark new right for employees with caring responsibilities throughout the UK to up to one week of unpaid Carer’s Leave.
Caroline has always championed the rights of unpaid carers, as Care Minister in the Department of Health from 2018-2020 she published the Carers Action Plan. Since re-joining the backbenches last September she has relaunched the All Party Parliamentary Group for Carers and raised this issue a number of times in the House of Commons. She is passionate about raising awareness of the challenges that employees face when juggling work and care, and the benefits that a right to one week of leave would bring to both carers themselves, and their employers.
Caroline said:
“I know that a large number of my constituents are juggling their work with vital care for a family member – and it is an incredibly tricky balancing act.
“A right to Carer’s Leave would relieve some of the pressure on carers, giving them more flexibility to attend a routine hospital appointment, for example, or help the person they care for to recover from a planned operation.
“For employers, research shows that providing their employees with Carer’s Leave would mean they had fewer staff absences, lower recruitment and retention costs, as well as better staff planning and engagement. It would also help to keep many more skilled people in work, contributing to our economy.
“The benefits of introducing this vital legislation are clear, and that’s why I will be supporting the Carer’s Leave Bill on 9th September. I hope my colleagues will be joining me – helping to make life easier for over 2 million working carers across the country.”
A carer is defined as anyone who provides unpaid care to a relative or friend due to illness, disability or frailty. It is estimated that there are over 2 million employees who juggle paid work with their unpaid caring responsibilities across the UK.
The Carer’s Leave Bill was introduced by Wendy Chamberlain MP, and will have its second reading and be debated again in Parliament on Friday 9 September 2022.
The Bill has cross-party backing from Members of Parliament and is supported by the national charity Carers UK, as well as 95 other organisations, including employers, trade unions, employer-representative organisations and local carers organisations.
Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said:
“With huge swathes of the working population now juggling their job and caring for a loved one, there has never been a more important time to introduce Carer’s Leave.
“Our research shows us that every day in the UK, at least 600 carers make the difficult decision to leave the workforce because it becomes too much – a decision made at a great personal cost, as well as at a detriment to the economy.
“Add to that the spiralling cost-of-living crisis, it is vital that unpaid carers are supported to stay in work. By supporting the intention of the Carer’s Leave Bill on 9th September, politicians can signal to carers that they are visible and valued, and help millions to better balance work and care.”
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Notes to Editors:
- Wendy Chamberlain MP is the Liberal Democrat MP for North East Fife and came 10th in the Private Members’ Bill Ballot.
- The Bill’s short title is the “Carer’s Leave Bill”. The long title is, “A Bill to make provision about unpaid leave for employees with caring responsibilities”. The Bill will be published at a later date and this will provide more detail.
- 2.4 million employees who juggle work with their unpaid caring responsibilities will benefit as a result of this Bill, if it successfully passes.
- Carer’s Leave was part of the Conservative manifesto – up to one week’s unpaid leave for employees with caring responsibilities for older, ill and disabled people.
