Torbay’s MP, Kevin Foster, is backing a new Private Member’s Bill, which could see millions of unpaid carers who are looking after older, disabled or seriously ill relatives better supported in the workplace.
Kevin attended an event held in Parliament today (Wednesday 25th January 2023) hosted by the bill sponsor, Wendy Chamberlain MP and national charity Carers UK. He also met unpaid carers and employers, Centrica and TSB who have supportive workplace policies for unpaid carers, to better understand their experiences of Carer’s Leave and to discuss the Carer’s Leave Bill currently being considered in Parliament.
If successful in its passage through both Houses of Parliament, the Carer’s Leave Bill would see employees across Great Britain gain a landmark new right to take up to one week of unpaid Carer’s Leave. The Bill has secured Government and cross-party support.
This leave would allow millions of people with caring responsibilities more flexibility to better manage their work alongside their caring responsibilities - for example, to help get their loved one to routine hospital appointments, or to support them while they recover from an invasive operation.
Kevin Foster MP said:
“Being able to take Carer’s Leave to support a loved one when they most need it could make a big difference to many employees with a caring role, helping them to feel less stressed, more engaged at work and better able to thrive in their career.”
“For employers, Carer’s Leave would see fewer staff absences, lower recruitment and retention costs, better staff planning and engagement. It would also help to keep many more skilled people in work, contributing to our economy.”
Next Friday 3rd February, the Carer’s Leave Bill will go through to Report Stage and Third Reading, meaning members of parliament have a further opportunity to discuss the Bill.
Research shows that:
Prior to the coronavirus crisis, 4.9 million people were juggling paid work alongside caring unpaid – about 15% of the UK’s population. Carers UK estimates a further 2.8 million then began juggling work and care during the pandemic.
The stresses and strain of having to juggle paid work alongside unpaid care has led to hundreds of thousands of people having to leave the labour market. On average, 600 people per day - including over 500,000 people in the two years before the COVID-19 pandemic.
The shortage of social care is placing ever more pressure on carers. The proportion of unpaid carers providing significant care (over 20 hours per week), has increased by 42% since October 2020. This is making it even harder for people to juggle work and care.
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