As part of Carers Week 2026, the Department for Business and Trade launched a consultation on employment rights for unpaid carers and parents of seriously ill children. Jack McLuckie, Senior Policy Lead at DBT, explains what this means and how to get involved.
Unpaid carers play an essential role in supporting friends, relatives, and those they care for across the country. Their contribution sustains families, strengthens communities, and provides vital care that might otherwise place significant pressure on public services.
We know that too many unpaid carers struggle to balance work and caring responsibilities.
As our population continues to age, more of us may need to take on caring responsibilities and getting workplace support right will become increasingly important for unpaid carers and employers alike.
That is why we have launched a consultation on a series of potentially transformative approaches to workplace protections for unpaid carers and parents of seriously ill children.
What workplace protections are under consideration?
The proposals under consideration include introducing paid carer’s leave for the first time, a new “right to return” to work after a period of intensive caring – similar to protections currently for those on maternity leave – and new guidance to help workers and employers better understand carers’ workplace protections.
The consultation also seeks views on what has become known as Hugh’s Law — named in memory of Hugh Menai-Davis, who died aged six from cancer in 2021. His family, alongside their charity It’s Never You, have campaigned for paid leave and financial support for parents in the immediate and prolonged aftermath of a child’s serious diagnosis.
By exploring improvements to pay and leave entitlements, the measures could unlock greater flexibility and financial security - making it easier for thousands of unpaid carers to stay in, or return to, the workforce. Our priority is to gather evidence on different options to find a solution which is proportionate and workable for employers and workers alike.
Have your say
It is really important to have a public conversation on these issues. Meaningful change must be shaped by the people directly affected, and your insights and experiences will play a crucial role in shaping this. So, if you are an employer, an unpaid carer, a parent of a seriously ill child, a charity with expertise or a representative organisation, please do get in touch.
The consultation will close on 1 September 2026. It can be found here - Make Work Pay: employment rights for unpaid carers and parents of seriously ill children - GOV.UK
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