Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Paid Employment Leave: Kinship Carers

Thursday 12 December 2024 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Questions took place on 2024-12-12 regarding paid employment leave for kinship carers.
  • Munira Wilson asked if the government would assess the merits of introducing paid employment leave for kinship carers.
  • The government announced a 40 million trial for a kinship allowance and is reviewing the parental leave system to support working families.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Munira Wilson Lib Dem Twickenham
Employment Children & Families
Context

Kinship carers are essential in providing care for children whose parents cannot, but many face challenges balancing this role with employment. Four in ten kinship carers are forced to give up work.

Question

If he will make an assessment with the Secretary of State for Education of the potential merits of introducing a right to paid employment leave for kinship carers.

Answer from Justin Madders

We recognise the challenges that many kinship carers face in balancing care with employment and have announced £40 million to trial a kinship allowance. We are reviewing the parental leave system to best support working families.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to making an assessment or introducing paid leave specifically through Employment Rights Bill

How: Under Review, Looking At Trial

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Q2 Munira Wilson Lib Dem Twickenham
Employment Children & Families
Context

Kinship carers face significant challenges, with many forced to give up work. This affects their financial stability and the quality of care they can provide.

Question

Will the Minister look to right that wrong through the Employment Rights Bill, and introduce a right to paid employment leave for kinship carers, given the savings to the public purse and better outcomes for children?

Answer from Justin Madders

I met with a kinship carer who highlighted challenges in balancing care responsibilities. We are looking at how our £40 million trial works and will review the parental leave system, but we think it is best to see the trial results first.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to introducing a right to paid employment leave through Employment Rights Bill

How: Looking At How Trial Works, Reviewing Parental Leave System

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