Key Facts

• Carer’s UK published its “State of Caring 2022” report.
• One in five adults in the United Kingdom are providing care, with a conservative estimate of 2.3 million carers also in employment.
• 75% of respondents worry about juggling work and care responsibilities.
• The Bill sets out a legal framework for carer’s leave entitlement.
• There will be no qualifying period, allowing eligible employees to request leave from their first day of employment.
• Over half of carers take more than one year and 36% take three years to recognize themselves as such.
• About 4.9 million people across the UK juggle unpaid care with paid work.
• Two-thirds of individuals will become unpaid carers at some point in their lives.
• Carers UK calculated that an average of 600 people a day leave work to care for someone.
• There are 4.2 million unpaid carers across the UK.
• Young carers can be as young as eight, with estimates suggesting up to 700,000 in the UK.
• The average annual income for families of young carers is £5,000 lower than those without a young carer.
• The Bill seeks to create a statutory right to unpaid carer’s leave.
• More than 2 million people have been forced to reduce their working hours due to caring responsibilities.
• The Government promised legislation on this matter in their 2017 and 2019 manifestos.
• Eligible employees are entitled to one week of unpaid leave per year.
• Employers cannot require employees to provide evidence for carer’s leave requests.
• The cost to businesses is £4.7 million in set-up costs and then £40 million annually.
• The Bill strikes a balance between flexibility and affordability.
• The Carer's Leave Bill is described as a vital piece of legislation.
• The Bill aims to provide unpaid carers with more support and ease some of their burdens.
• The MP acknowledges the need for further measures beyond this Bill, such as addressing the challenges faced by young carers.