The Carer’s Leave Act comes into force on 6 April

Groundbreaking new rights for millions of unpaid carers

The Carers’ Leave Act came into effect as of Saturday 6th April 2024. Securing these new rights for working carers was the result of many years’ campaigning and has opened up more possibilities for carers who are employed to stay in work and is also one of the things carers say they need to return to work. Many organisations provided vital evidence to show that Carers’ Leave could have made a difference through the State of Caring Survey, through requests for evidence for the consultation several years ago, by submitting responses to Government and by writing to local MP’s. A staggering 2.3 million carers across Great Britain could be entitled to these new rights.

Detailed information on the Carers’ Leave Act can be found on the Carers UK website.

In summary, the Carers’ Leave Act covers employees in England, Wales and Scotland. Employees are entitled to up to one week’s unpaid leave per year if providing or arranging care for someone with a long-term care need. This leave can be taken flexibly )in half or full days) for planned and foreseen caring commitments. It is available from the first day of employment. It provides the same employment protections to employees as other forms of family-related leave, including protection from dismissal.