Carer support organisations across Cumbria, supporting unpaid Carers are waiting for the latest reading of the Carer’s Leave Bill this week in Parliament.

If successful, the Bill would mean Cumbria’s 56,000 unpaid Carers gaining an entitlement to Carer’s Leave.

Carers UK estimate 2.4 million employees across the county would benefit for the Carers Leave Bill, providing them with the opportunity to take up to five days off work to provide care to family and friends. 

The Bill will reach Report Stage and have its third  reading on Friday, 3 February.

Angela Longrigg, CEO of Carer Support West Cumbria said: “By providing paid leave is not just the right thing to do to support unpaid Carers, there is also a clear business case.

Many people have to leave their jobs to continue caring for a loved one. Supporting unpaid Carers in the workplace, such as providing Carer’s Leave provides savings for employees, with increased staff retention, and ensuring carers don’t have to take unplanned absences.”

 

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