Having successfully passed through the House of Commons the Carer’s Leave Bill passed its Second Reading in the House of Lords on Friday 3 March, with cross-party support from Peers, including Government.

This legislation, if successful in its passage through both Houses of Parliament, would see employees across Great Britain get a landmark new right to take up to one week of unpaid Carer’s Leave.

Passing Second Reading in the House of Lords is another important step forward for the Bill.

Lord Fox, supporting the Carer’s Leave Bill in the Lords, said:

I was delighted to see so many Peers from all sides of the House of Lords supporting this important Bill, which could make a difference to so many unpaid carers who are juggling work and care. There was unanimous agreement of the need for these rights.

I look forward to taking the Bill through its remaining stages, with continued strong support from colleagues in the Lords.”

Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said:

We’re thrilled that the Carer’s Leave Bill has passed its Second Reading in the House of Lords –another important step forward for unpaid carers juggling their work with care for a relative who is older, disabled or seriously ill.

Carers UK has campaigned for decades to get carers a right to Carer’s Leave – because the evidence shows it makes a huge difference to working carers’ lives. It allows them flexibility to better manage work alongside their caring responsibilities - for example, to help get their loved one to routine hospital appointments or support them while they recover from an invasive operation.

We look forward to continuing our work with Wendy Chamberlain MP and the Government, and with Peers to ensure that this Bill becomes law.”

Wendy Chamberlain MP, sponsor of the Carer’s Leave Bill said:

I am delighted that my Bill has gained the support of Peers today. Supporting unpaid carers to better manage their work and caring role and having the flexibility of Carer’s Leave to do that is vitally important.

Retaining carers in the workplace also benefits businesses, with evidence from employers showing that supporting working carers helps to improve staff retention rates and productivity.”

Source: Carers UK