Carers UK response to the DTI announcement today

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) today (Thursday 9 November 2006) announces the definition of carers that will be used in the Work and Families Act. The Act gives carers a groundbreaking new right to request flexible working from their employer, and will come into effect in April 2007. Until today it has been unclear which carers were to be included under this legislation.
 
Carers UK, the leading carers' charity warmly welcomes the announcement that married partners, near relatives and those of neither category that live at the same address as the person being cared for, will have this new right. But it expresses concern that some carers will still miss out on this new right.
 
Imelda Redmond, Chief Executive of Carers UK, says:
 
"Today's announcement means that 2.6 million carers will be eligible to request flexible working.  This new right will enable carers to better juggle work with their caring role and is a welcome recognition from Government that giving carers rights in the workplace is not only good for carers and society, but has clear business benefits for employers. "

"Carers UK had called for the Government to include all carers in this legislation, and under this definition some carers will still lose out. However we hope that employers will take the opportunity to cover all carers in their policies."

"Since it was introduced in 2003, the right for parents with children under the age of six years, or 18 if they have a disability, to request flexible working from their employer has been a huge success; nine out of ten of these requests have been accepted by employers."

"The extension of this right to carers will make it easier for those who are currently in employment to stay in work, and for more carers to take that vital step into employment.  Research shows that employers who grant flexible working rights to carers have a more productive workforce, with lower staff turnover, and a reduction in sick leave." 

Almost three million carers combine caring with paid work. In the future, more people will face this duel responsibility as demographic changes and an increase in the number of disabled people will mean that an additional three million carers are needed over the next 30 years.
 
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Further information:
Emily Holzhausen, Public Affairs Manager, Carers UK, T. 020 7566 7637. 
M. 0794 127 3108
Keir Bosley T. 020 7592 3106, M. 07813 130266 or 
E. keir@thirdsectorpr.co.uk

Notes to Editors

1. Carers UK continues to make a difference to carers' lives by:
   campaigning for a better deal for carers; informing carers of their rights
   and what help is available; training and advising professionals who
   work with carers; working across the UK through its membership and
   networks of branches and affiliates.  Carers Scotland is the Scottish national office of Carers UK working for carers in Scotland. There are six million carers
   throughout the UK (660,000 in Scotland). Their support is worth £57 billion a year, equivalent to a second NHS. Visit www.carersuk.org
2. Carers UK has produced a report on the business benefits of
   supporting carers in the workforce, Who Cares Wins, published in April
   2006. This is available by clicking here.
3. Carers UK has a proven track record of providing employment training
   consultancy work, with employers including British Gas, BBC, HSBC
   and Hertfordshire County Council.   Employers interested in
   consultancy should contact:  Glenys Ruan, Training Unit Manager on:
   020 7566 7631 or glenys.ruan@carersuk.org or click here. 
4. This work has been part of Action for Carers and Employment (ACE)
   National, a development partnership led by Carers UK and by Carers Scotland and funded by the European Social Fund's Equal programme which raises awareness of the barriers facing carers who wish to work, and tests and promotes ways of supporting them. Visit www.acecarers.org.uk for details of work in England and Wales.  Click here for further information on ACE in Scotland.
5. Carers UK's and Carers Scotland's work is supported by the European Social Fund's EQUAL Community Initiative Programme.