Scottish Liberal Democrat North East Fife MP Wendy Chamberlain’s
Carer’s Leave Bill passed its final stage in the House of Lords
today and will now become law. The ‘landmark’ piece of
legislation will come into effect next year and give unpaid
carers a legal right to take additional leave from work.
The Bill will give an estimated 2.4 million carers across the UK
a statutory right to take five days of unpaid leave per year.
Carer’s UK have described this as a ‘landmark’ piece of
legislation which would help carers to better balance work and
care.
While leading the legislation through Parliament, has met with carers and
carers’ organisations in her North East Fife constituency and
across the country. She has also discussed the measures with
companies which already have a similar policy in place to hear
about the benefits of Carer’s Leave to businesses in reduced
recruitment costs, and improved retention and wellbeing of staff.
introduced the Carer’s
Leave Bill last June after winning a place in the Private
Member’s Bill lottery. The measures are set to come into effect
next year.
said:
“I am over the moon to see my Carer’s Leave Bill pass its final
hurdle. It will become law and take effect next year, with
millions of unpaid carers across the country gaining a new
employment right for the first time.
“I want to thank all the carers and carers’ organisations that I
met with over the last year. I’m hugely grateful that they took
the time to share their experiences of balancing work and care
with me. It has been a long road to get to this day, but it has
come because of their tireless campaign.
“Next year, because of this law, unpaid carers will become
entitled for the first time to take additional unpaid leave from
work to help balance caring responsibilities. It is a huge step
forward and I feel deeply privileged to have had a role in making
it happen.
“I hope that this law will kickstart a transformation in the
recognition and support of carers in the workplace. Carers are
the backbone of our society. They deserve thanks and so much
more. They deserve every opportunity to thrive and I believe my
Carer’s Leave Bill will be a first step to doing that.”
