At a Glance

• On June 9, 2026, the UK Government launched a consultation on potential reforms to the employment rights of unpaid carers and parents of seriously ill children.
• The consultation, which closes on September 1, 2026, asks for evidence on how current rights are working in practice and explores possible changes including longer unpaid Carer’s Leave, introducing paid Carer’s Leave, a new right to return after extended caring-related absence, and a new statutory leave and pay entitlement for parents of seriously ill children.

Background

The consultation forms part of the Government’s wider Plan to Make Work Pay. It follows the introduction of the Carer’s Leave Act 2023, which gave employees with caring responsibilities a right to take up to five days of unpaid leave each year to provide or arrange care for a dependent with a long-term care need. This sits alongside other rights such as the right to reasonable time off to deal with emergencies involving a dependent (which is also unpaid), and the ability for employees to make flexible working requests to their employer.

The consultation seeks views on whether the current framework is working effectively and whether additional support is needed to help carers stay in, return to, and progress at work.

It also includes consideration of providing separate financial support and leave for parents of seriously ill children, referred to as “Hugh’s Law,” following campaigning and work by the charity It’s Never You.

Unpaid...

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