Government consultation on employment rights for unpaid carers

Government consultation on employment rights for unpaid carers

The Government has launched a consultation looking at employment rights for unpaid carers and parents of seriously ill children.

The consultation is asking for views on what support is needed to help people balance paid work with unpaid caring responsibilities. This follows a long-standing campaign by Carers UK for stronger rights for working carers, including a statutory right to paid Carer’s Leave.

Challenges for working carers

For many unpaid carers, staying in work can be difficult. Caring can mean needing time off at short notice, attending appointments, managing emergencies, or juggling work around changing support needs.

Without enough understanding or flexibility, carers can find themselves reducing their hours or leaving work altogether.

This consultation is an important chance for carers’ experiences to be heard, and for organisations supporting carers to share what they know from their work with local families.

The consultation closes at midnight on Tuesday 1 September 2026.

You can read more and respond on the GOV.UK website.