On 21 October 2022, the government announced that it was backing the Carer's Leave Bill, a Private Members' Bill sponsored by Wendy Chamberlain MP. The Bill passed its second reading with government support this week. 

 

The Bill will introduce a new and flexible entitlement of one week's unpaid leave per year for employees who are providing or arranging care. It will be available to eligible employees from the first day of their employment. They will be able to take the leave flexibly to suit their caring responsibilities and will not need to provide evidence of how the leave is used or who it will be used for which, it is hoped, should ensure a smooth process. Employees taking their carer's leave entitlement will be subject to the same employment protections that are associated with other forms of family-related leave, meaning they will be protected from dismissal or any detriment as a result of having taken time off.

 

Between 16 March and 3 August 2020, the government had consulted on its proposal to give employees who are also unpaid carers a week of unpaid leave each year to provide care. On 23 September 2021, the government response to the consultation confirmed that it would introduce a statutory right of up to one week of unpaid carer's leave when Parliamentary time allowed.

It remains unclear when this may become law, though it would appear to be one step closer.