Reading Borough Council backs Carer's Leave

Reading Borough Councillors unanimously backed a motion calling for people in employment who also have caring responsibilities to be given a right to unpaid leave.

A parliamentary Bill, the Carer's Leave Bill, proposed by Lib Dem MP Wendy Chamberlain is currently going through the House of Lords. Under the bill, carers who work will be able to take up to a week's unpaid leave per year flexibly in small amounts – from half days up to the whole week.

The motion was passed at the last full Council meeting of Reading Borough Council on Tuesday 28th February.

Reading Lib Dem Councillor Anne Thompson proposed a motion calling on the Council to support the Carer's Leave Bill. Anne said "Over two million people in the UK including thousands of people here in Reading are in paid work whilst providing unpaid care.

"Unpaid Carers in work save the taxpayer a considerable amount of money in care costs. The least we can do is help them to balance their work and care responsibilities by giving them a week's unpaid leave.

"I'm glad the Borough Council unanimously supported the Carer's Leave Bill and I hope it passes through Parliament and into law.”

Wendy Chamberlain MP said "I’m delighted to see Lib Dem representatives getting behind this new law. For the first time, carers will have their own employment rights, helping them to balance working and care. The Liberal Democrats have long fought for carers' rights and I look forward to working with the Reading Liberal Democrat group on this and other campaigns in the future."

James Moore, Lib Dem Councillor for Tilehurst said "The burden placed on unpaid carers has left many overwhelmed and in need of more help and support for themselves, especially those providing long-term care for those living with chronic physical and mental health issues.

"This bill aims to reassure those working carers that if they need to take time off, they can do so without the fear of repercussions. Unpaid carers do so much to protect our underfunded care system and it is vital we support them in any way we can.

"Issues in the NHS are being exacerbated by chronic underfunding of social care. Liberal Democrats are coming up with innovative solutions to reduce the burden on the social care sector by supporting unpaid carers to do this vital work."