← Back to Westminster Hall Debates
Carer’s Leave
14 May 2025
Lead MP
Wendy Chamberlain
North East Fife
LD
Responding Minister
Justin Madders
Tags
Employment
Word Count: 9315
Other Contributors: 11
At a Glance
Wendy Chamberlain raised concerns about carer’s leave in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The MP calls for the introduction of paid carer’s leave to ensure carers get necessary respite and support. She also recommends that the Minister read research on the financial impact of being an unpaid carer, published by Sheffield University's Centre for Care.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
There are at least 5.8 million people in the UK providing unpaid care, with 2.8 million balancing caring responsibilities with work. The Carer’s Leave Act 2023 has been passed, but many carers face significant challenges including poverty and reduced working hours, which affects their income and retirement savings.
Mid Sussex
She thanked Wendy Chamberlain for securing the debate and highlighted the plight of unpaid carers like Fe who face financial hardship due to caring responsibilities. She proposed increasing the carer’s allowance by £20 a week, raising the earnings threshold to £183 per week, and introducing statutory respite care.
Ann Davies
PC
Caerfyrddin
Asked whether the Government must recognise that carer’s leave must be paid in order to make a true difference, reflecting on an amendment debated in the House of Lords.
Anna Dixon
Lab
Shipley
As chair of the all-party parliamentary group on carers, she noted that some employers are already offering paid leave for carers and highlighted its benefits for retention of workers. Thanks the Minister for considering paid carer’s leave and highlights its potential benefits for low-income workers and women.
Chris Vince
Lab/Co-op
Harlow
The hon. Gentleman highlights that many young and adult carers do not recognize themselves as carers, suggesting the actual number of carers could be higher than reported.
Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe
In Wales, over 310,000 people identify as unpaid carers—more than 10.5% of the population—and many do not realise they qualify for support. The MP emphasised that Wales faces unique challenges with unpaid carers due to an ageing population, poorer health outcomes, and rising complex care needs.
West Dorset
Carer’s allowance is £81.90 per week, the lowest amount for a benefit of its kind, and tens of thousands of carers are being asked to repay thousands of pounds each year due to errors by the DWP.
Graham Stringer
Lab
in the Chair
Called on the minister to leave time for winding up the debate.
Irene Campbell
Lab
North Ayrshire and Arran
The hon. Member emphasizes the importance of providing carers with breaks and peer support opportunities, reflecting on her previous work in the NHS supporting carers.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
He pointed out that there are approximately 5.7 million unpaid carers in the UK, representing around 9% of the population, and highlighted the significant financial impact on carers who have to give up work or reduce hours due to caring responsibilities.
Justin Madders
Lab
Ellesmere Port and Neston
Acknowledged the importance of carer's leave and discussed ongoing efforts to improve access to flexible working through the Employment Rights Bill, highlighting an increase in the earnings limit from £151 a week to £196 a week for carer’s allowance. Supports the idea of exploring paid carer’s leave, acknowledges ongoing work on reviewing the Act's implementation, and notes that research is being conducted to inform future policy decisions.
Sarah Dyke
LD
Glastonbury and Somerton
My constituent cares for her 95-year-old mother and has lost her winter fuel allowance and respite care. The hon. Friend supports the introduction of paid carer’s leave to help carers manage their responsibilities. She supported Alison Bennett's proposal for an amnesty on overpayments of carer’s allowance and agreed that most carers have no idea they were overpaid due to a failure in communication between government departments.
Government Response
Justin Madders
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade
Government Response
Paid tribute to unpaid carers, recognised the challenges they face in balancing work with caring responsibilities, noted that half of adult carers are in work while a quarter are economically inactive. Highlighted the increase in carer’s allowance earnings limit from £151 to £196 per week enabling additional 60,000 people to receive carer's allowance between this year and 2029-30. Commits to reviewing carer’s leave and exploring further policy development, including paid carer’s leave. Mentions ongoing engagement with employers and advocacy groups, and highlights the importance of ensuring people are aware of their rights under the Carer’s Leave Act.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.