Chamberlains’s Carer’s Leave Bill to come into force

The “landmark” Carer’s Leave Bill introduced by North East Fife MP and Scottish Liberal Democrat deputy leader Wendy Chamberlain will come into force on Saturday 6th April.

The Bill will give an estimated 2.4 million carers across the UK a statutory right to take five days of unpaid leave per year. Carer’s UK have described this as a ‘landmark’ piece of legislation which would help carers to better balance work and care.

Wendy Chamberlain introduced the Carer’s Leave Bill in June 2022 after winning a place in the Private Member’s Bill lottery. The Bill enjoyed cross-party support and was passed on 19 May 2023. The legislation comes into effect on 6th April 2024

Speaking ahead of the bill coming into force, Wendy Chamberlain MP said:

“When I had the chance to present a Private Member’s Bill as a backbencher, I knew I wanted to present something that would help improve people’s lives. That’s why I decided to present the Carer’s Leave Bill.

“It has been a long process since I first presented my Private Member’s Bill in 2022 but I am so excited that April 6th has finally arrived which means that the Carer’s Act will come into force today.

“This is vital progress in improving carers’ employment rights and will help to offer some more flexibility to balance work and caring.

“Becoming a carer is something that can happen to any one of us. It can take many forms: from day-to-day physical caring, making medical appointments or doing the shopping for a housebound elderly neighbour. Caring or being cared for is something that almost everyone will experience at some point in their life.

“The work unpaid carers do is so vital yet is it extremely underappreciated. This hard work should be better recognised which is a key reason why I led the Carer’s Leave Act through Parliament. The Act gives carers up to 5 days of unpaid leave a year.  

“I’ve met with some incredible organisations over the last two years and I would like to deeply thank Carers UK with whom I worked closely with throughout the process of getting this bill passed. It would not have been possible without their support.”

Sandra Morris, centre manager at Fife Carers Centre said:

“Fife Carers Centre are pleased to see the introduction of Unpaid Carers Leave form 6th April, 2024.

“We know that many of the Carers we support throughout Fife will benefit from this leave to assist with their unpaid caring role.”