Carers UK have recently published a new report calling for recently introduced statuary entitlement of five days of unpaid Carer’s Leave to be turned into paid Carer’s Leave.
Although the report suggests the cost to Government of implementing paid Carer’s leave could be up to £32 million per year, in contrast it could
- Reduce the number of family carers leaving work because of their caring responsibilities, which the report estimates is worth £1.3 billion a year based on Carer’s Allowance payments and lost tax revenues
- Bring potential productivity gains of up to £8.2 billion a year.
- Reduce the work-related inequalities of the 2 million workers who would benefit
- Help the 80% of family carers who say it would help them to balance their work and caring responsibilities.
Ahead of the July 2024 General Election, the now Government published its Make Work Pay policy, which committed them to examining the benefits of introducing paid Carer’s Leave and reviewing the Carer’s Leave Act 2023.
At a time when the Government is concerned about economic inactivity in the over 50s, a tight labour market, skills shortages, an ageing population and UK-wide productivity levels Suffolk Family Carers joins Carers UK in encouraging the strengthening of the rights of family carers in employment through the passage of its proposed Employment Rights Bill, including through the introduction of paid Carer’s Leave.
The evidence now demonstrates a strong economic and moral imperative for it to take early action to further support working carers.
