The Case for Paid Carer’s Leave
John Perryman and Kate Hamblin, from the Center for Care in the UK, explore the case for paid carers leave as the Department for Business and Trade seeks views on the leave options available to unpaid carers.
Millions of people are currently balancing paid work alongside their unpaid caring responsibilities for family members and friends across the UK. While being in work is good for carers’ wellbeing, we know this balancing act can have a significant impact on carers’ incomes, career progression, wellbeing and long-term financial security.
A lack of workplace support, inadequate social care provision and too few employment protections mean that, each year, hundreds of thousands of unpaid carers are left with little choice but to reduce their working hours or leave employment altogether because current workplace structures and employment rights do not adequately reflect the realities of combining paid work with unpaid care.
This can have profound long-term consequences for them and their families, including reduced earnings, diminished pension savings, financial insecurity, social isolation, and poorer mental and physical health.
