[UK] Government consultation on employment rights for unpaid carers and parents of seriously ill children

The UK Government has announced that it is seeking views on the employment rights that are available to people with unpaid caring responsibilities and parents who have a seriously ill child.

In its Plan to Make Work Pay, the government committed to reviewing the implementation of the Carer’s Leave Act 2023 and assessing whether further support is needed to help unpaid carers balance work with their caring responsibilities. This consultation reportedly forms part of that commitment.

In its consultation announcement, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) said, “When the Employment Rights Act 2025 was passed, we also made a commitment to review the employment rights available to parents who have a seriously ill child.”

It added that it is seeking views on:

• The information and guidance that is available to support unpaid carers

• The potential need for further support

• The forms of support that would be helpful for unpaid carers and parents with a seriously ill child

This consultation is backed by the DBT, Kate Dearden MP and The Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP and is reportedly part of the review of employment rights for unpaid carers. 

Anyone can respond, but the statement noted that the DBT will “particularly welcome views from those with lived experience of caring responsibilities, businesses, those with experience in supporting unpaid carers in the workplace, and those with expertise in unpaid care”.

Online responses can be submitted here.

Source: GOV.UK

(Links and quotes via original reporting)

The UK Government has announced that it is seeking views on the employment rights that are available to people with unpaid caring responsibilities and parents who have a seriously ill child.

In its Plan to Make Work Pay, the government committed to reviewing the implementation of the Carer’s Leave Act 2023 and assessing whether further support is needed to help unpaid carers balance work with their caring responsibilities. This consultation reportedly forms part of that commitment.

In its consultation announcement, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) said, “When the Employment Rights Act 2025 was passed, we also made a commitment to review the employment rights available to parents who have a seriously ill child.”

It added that it is seeking views on:

• The information and guidance that is available to support unpaid carers

• The potential need for further support

• The forms of support that would be helpful for unpaid carers and parents with a seriously ill child

This consultation is backed by the DBT, Kate Dearden MP and The Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP and is reportedly part of the review of employment rights for unpaid carers. 

Anyone can respond, but the statement noted that the DBT will “particularly welcome views from those with lived experience of caring responsibilities, businesses, those with experience in supporting unpaid carers in the workplace, and those with expertise in unpaid care”.

Online responses can be submitted here.

Source: GOV.UK

(Links and quotes via original reporting)