The Women and Equalities Select Committee published a report at the end of March this year  into the gender pay gap.  One of their recommendations was that working carers should be able to take a period of care leave to deal with problems that arise in their caring role.  Carers should be entitled to 6 weeks (unpaid) Carers Leave.

I’m sure we’d all agree that this would be a great idea.  Many carers experience a situation in their caring role when they feel they have to put the needs of the person they care for before their job – this can often be a time when the carer gives up work.  But if they were able to take some time off to deal with problems, they could get back to work once the caring situation has stabilised.

Unfortunately, this is only a recommendation and it doesn’t seem likely to be implemented in the near future.