Local MP, Dame Caroline Dinenage, has asked Government ministers when the promised unpaid leave for carers is likely to be delivered.
As a previous Minister of State at the Department of Health and Social Care and the current Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Carers, Caroline is passionate about representing the rights of unpaid carers.
The Government has previously announced plans for a new statutory entitlement to provide leave for unpaid carers to reflect the growing number of unpaid carers in our society. Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, an estimated 4.5 million people became unpaid carers, while prior to the crisis, almost 5 million people were juggling paid work alongside caring unpaid – about 15% of the population.
Caroline asked:
“Last year my Right Honourable Friend made the welcome announcement that employment leave will be extended to unpaid carers. Could he please update the House as to when this is likely to be delivered?”
Paul Scully, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy responded with:
“Our manifesto commitment to introduce carers leave will be introduced as soon as Parliamentary time allows, but we are looking forward to getting on with it as soon as possible.”
