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Statement on the second readings of Carer’s Leave and Protection from Redundancy Bills

Published: 21 Oct 2022

An elderly man in a wheelchair smiles as a young woman puts a blanket around his shoulders. They are outside and she is smiling back at him.

Today marks the second readings of the Carer’s Leave Bill and the Protection from Redundancy (Pregnancy and Family Leave) Bill, both of which will expand rights for working people with caring responsibilities.

Carer’s Leave Bill

We have long supported a statutory entitlement to Carer’s Leave, and we are delighted that Wendy Chamberlain MP has sponsored a bill that will give working carers the right to five days of leave from day one of employment. This bill will help remove the barriers that millions of carers face as they juggle a career and caring for an ill or disabled loved one. As the entitlement in the bill is on an unpaid basis, we will continue to work with Carer’s UK to call for the period of leave to be properly paid.

Protection from Redundancy (Pregnancy and Family Leave)

This bill, sponsored by Dan Jarvis MP, is a step in the right direction when it comes to protecting expectant and new parents from discrimination in the workplace. With this legislation, employers will be required to offer any suitable and available vacancy to pregnant employees and returning parents whose jobs are at risk of redundancy. While this is progress, we are concerned that without accompanying reforms to ensure compliance, this legislation may not achieve its intended aims as the tribunal system will be the only way to enforce the measures. To further strengthen these protections for new and expectant parents, Working Families is calling for the three-month limit making a tribunal claim to be extended to a minimum of six months as called for by the EHRC, the Law Commission, the Women & Equalities Select Committee.