Asked by: Baroness Pitkeathley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the benefits to employers and carer employees of introducing a statutory right to carers' leave; and what plans they have, if any, to introduce legislation conferring such a statutory right.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government has consulted on proposals for a statutory right to carer’s leave, including the benefits for both employers and employees. The Government response to this consultation was published in September 2021 and included an assessment of the consultation findings.
The legislative programme for the next parliamentary session will be set out at the Queen’s Speech.
Asked by: Baroness Pitkeathley (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask Her Majesty's Government when they plan to launch the consultation on care leave for employees who are also providing unpaid care for ill or disabled family members or friends.
Answered by Lord Duncan of Springbank
The Government recognises the challenges of balancing work and care. Improving support for carers to do so is a key part of the action plan that the Government published in June 2018.
We continue to work with colleagues across Government to consider the question of dedicated employment rights for carers alongside existing employment rights (such as the right to request flexible working and the right to time off for family and dependants).