Unpaid Carers

Debate between Lord Leong and Baroness Pitkeathley

Wednesday 8th July 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Pitkeathley (Lab)]

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper, and I declare an interest as vice-president of Carers UK.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business and Trade (Lord Leong) (Lab)]

My Lords, I pay tribute to the millions of unpaid carers across the UK whose compassion, sacrifice and dedication support loved ones every day and make an immeasurable contribution to our society and economy. The Government recognise the immense contribution made by unpaid carers and the pressures highlighted in the Carers UK report. We take its findings seriously. Supporting carers to remain in work is good for individuals, employers and the wider economy. That is why we have launched a public consultation reviewing employment rights for unpaid carers, including where further workplace support is needed, while ensuring that any future changes remain fair, proportionate and workable for employers.

[Baroness Pitkeathley (Lab)]

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for that reply. The public consultation that has been launched is very welcome. As my noble friend knows, carers want to combine paid work with caring if they can because it provides income, independence and social interaction. There is never a problem making the moral case for carers—everyone knows they are unsung heroes and heroines—but does my noble friend agree that there is a strong economic case, too? The DWP estimates that carers leaving work results in about £37 billion a year in lost productivity and increased welfare expenditure, so there are economic benefits to supporting them in any way possible, such as paid carer’s leave—as I have said, the consultation is most welcome—access to reliable social care and better support from both employers and healthcare services.

[Lord Leong (Lab)]

My Lords, I totally agree with my noble friend that supporting unpaid carers is both a moral and economic imperative. When experienced people are forced to leave work, we lose their skills, productivity and contribution to our economy. That is why we are reviewing employment rights for unpaid carers, including paid leave and wider workplace support. But this goes beyond employment rights. We must also consider how healthcare, social care and employers can better support carers to remain in work.