The Government Equalities Office has today (3rd July 2019) released a roadmap for gender equality in the UK. In it, the Government commits to advancing gender equality in the workplace. It will consult on care leave for those who are balancing work and unpaid care and will support employers to improve their offer to carers.

Responding to the Government’s launch of the roadmap ‘Gender Equality at every stage’, Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said:

“Support for staff with caring responsibilities is a rapidly growing issue for the UK’s employers, with 1 in 7 of the workforce - many of them women -  now juggling work and care, so we’re delighted that the Women & Equalities Minister has committed to consulting on care leave.

“Our research shows more than 600 people give up work every day to care for a loved one, so it’s important people are supported to combine care and work if they wish to.  By providing carers a right of at least five to ten days of paid care leave, as well as flexible working and a carer friendly workplace through schemes like Carer Confident, businesses can see better retention and productivity and also support families who are caring.

“We’re also pleased that the Woman’s Business Council is refreshing its focus and look forward to working with it to close the gender pay gap in the workplace.”