'Pivotal moment' | Could paid Carer's Leave be on the horizon? Government seeks views on new rights

The Government has launched a consultation on whether unpaid carers and parents of seriously ill children need stronger workplace protections, opening the door to potential reforms including a statutory right to paid Carer’s Leave.

The consultation, which forms part of the Government’s wider Make Work Pay agenda, will examine whether existing employment rights go far enough in helping people balance work with significant caring responsibilities. It will also review support available to parents caring for seriously ill children.

Ministers are seeking views on the effectiveness of current guidance and support for unpaid carers, whether additional rights are needed, and what forms of assistance would be most beneficial for both carers and parents of seriously ill children.

The consultation follows commitments made in the Government’s Plan to Make Work Pay to review the implementation of the Carer’s Leave Act 2023 and assess whether further support is required. It also fulfils a pledge made during the passage of the Employment Rights Act 2025 to review employment rights for parents of seriously ill children.