Jamie Stone, the MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, is backing a new Private Member’s Bill which could see millions of unpaid carers who are looking after older, disabled or seriously ill relatives better supported in the workplace.
Mr Stone attended a Westminster event hosted by the bill sponsor and Liberal Democrat colleague, Wendy Chamberlain MP, and national charity Carers UK.
He also met unpaid carers and employers, Centrica and TSB who have supportive workplace policies for unpaid carers, to better understand their experiences of Carer’s Leave and to discuss the Carer’s Leave Bill currently being considered in Parliament.
If successful in its passage through both Houses of Parliament, the Carer’s Leave Bill would see employees across Great Britain gain a landmark new right to take up to one week of unpaid Carer’s Leave.
This leave would allow millions of people with caring responsibilities more flexibility to better manage their work alongside their caring responsibilities – for example, to help get their loved one to routine hospital appointments, or to support them while they recover from an invasive operation.
Jamie Stone, MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross said:
“Thousands of my constituents are juggling their work with vital care for a family member.
“I know from personal experience as a full-time carer that it is an incredibly tricky balancing act.
“Being able to take Carer’s Leave to support a loved one when they most need it could make a big difference to many employees with a caring role, helping them to feel less stressed, more engaged at work and better able to thrive in their career.
“For employers, Carer’s Leave would see fewer staff absences, lower recruitment and retention costs, better staff planning and engagement.
“It would also help to keep many more skilled people in work, contributing to our economy.
“I hope to see colleagues from across the House come together to support the Carer’s Leave Bill.”
