As the Employment Rights Bill continues its passage through the House of Lords, charity Carers UK is urging the Government to strengthen protections for the estimated 2.3 million people juggling paid work and unpaid caring responsibilities.
The charity is advocating for legislative changes that would provide greater support to employees caring for disabled, older or ill relatives and friends.
Two amendments have been put forward to enhance the Bill’s impact on unpaid carers. The first would change the current entitlement to unpaid Carer’s Leave into a right to paid leave. The second would place a requirement on employers with over 250 staff to consider the needs of unpaid carers in their workforce when preparing equality action plans.
Carers UK argues that these changes would make a substantial difference, particularly for low-income workers and women, who are more likely to have caring responsibilities. The charity’s research shows that 80 percent of workers believe paid Carer’s Leave would improve their ability to manage work alongside caring duties.
Financial barriers stifle uptake of unpaid Carer’s Leave
A survey by Carers UK released in November 2024 shows that 56 percent of working carers are unable to take unpaid leave because they cannot afford to lose income.
Modelling by Carers UK estimates that introducing paid Carer’s Leave would cost between £5.5 million and £32 million annually. The organisation maintains that this would be outweighed by wider economic benefits through increased workforce participation and productivity.
Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said many carers are forced to give up paid employment due to a lack of workplace support, resulting in a significant economic cost.
“Every year the UK economy loses an estimated £37 billion due to unpaid carers being unable to work. Without adequate support, carers are often left with no choice but to give up paid work to care, impacting their own financial security and resulting in a loss of valuable skills and experience for employers,” she said.
Caring for the carers
Walker acknowledged the inclusion of measures in the Bill such as enhanced flexible working rights, but warned they do not go far enough to address the challenges faced by carers.
“The Bill contains some welcome measures to help unpaid carers, including stronger rights to flexible working, but we need to be ambitious for further change. There is a clear opportunity to lay the foundations for paid Carer’s Leave, which is critical for those unable to take up their existing, unpaid rights.”
She added that carers who leave work often face long-term financial risks. “Carers who fall out of employment are at far higher risk of poverty and long-term financial hardship. We are encouraging this Government to use the positive momentum of the Carer’s Leave Act and go one step further to increase help for carers able to juggle work and care.”
