The Carer’s Leave Act 2023 comes into force this week on Saturday 6 April 2024, giving people who provide care to a family member, friend or relative the right to up to five days of unpaid leave from work to fulfil their caring responsibilities.

Rebecca Harris MP supported this legislation in Parliament and is delighted that 4,021 unpaid carers in Castle Point will now have access to these new workplace rights.

The legislation has been supported by businesses, employers, professional bodies, charities, local authorities, unions and unpaid carers.

The Act will enable employees in Great Britain who provide care to someone who is disabled, older, or seriously ill to take up to five days off work each year to arrange or provide care. Having this additional flexibility will help unpaid carers cope with the challenging task of balancing employment alongside their unpaid caring responsibilities. 

Leading employers who already offer Carer’s Leave to their employees also say that this kind of support can help to deliver business benefits; improving productivity overall through better staff retention, reducing recruitment costs, and supporting employee wellbeing.

Rebecca Harris MP said:

“I am proud to support the Carer’s Leave Act 2023, which will mean that 4,021 unpaid carers in Castle Point will now have access to these new workplace rights.

"Millions of unpaid carers in the UK will live better lives as a result of these reforms, as will their friends and family who rely on them for daily support."

Carers UK is supporting both unpaid carers and employers to find out what this legislation will mean for them. Carers are encouraged to find out more information about their rights at work on the Carers UK website: www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/work-and-career/the-carers-leave-act-2024/

Employers can visit Carers UK’s business forum, Employers for Carers: Employers for Carers | Carers UK