The Carer’s Leave Bill, a Private Member’s Bill tabled by Wendy Chamberlain MP, received Government support at its Second Reading in Westminster on Friday last week.
The Carer’s Leave Bill aims to enable unpaid carers to balance their caring responsibilities with work by making sure employers give them extra time off. This time off could be used for accompanying loved ones to appointments or taking respite time for themselves, for example.
Now that the Bill has passed its Second Reading, it will move on to a committee stage to discuss the content of the Bill in more detail.
Although the ultimate goal is for carers to receive up to two weeks’ paid leave, this Bill will give unpaid carers a number of benefits. The Bill will give new rights to all unpaid carers and, for the first time, require employers to think about their employees with caring responsibilities. Passing the Bill could also encourage more forward-looking employers to go further than the legislation, and introduce paid Carer’s Leave.
To follow the progress on the bill, and to sign the petition to call on more support from the Government click HERE.