PLAID Cymru MP for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, Liz Saville Roberts, has backed a new bill which could see millions of unpaid carers, including 3,434 in her constituency, receive better workplace support. 

The Carer’s Leave Bill (being introduced by Lib Dem MP Wendy Chamberlain) would introduce a new right for employees with caring responsibilities throughout the UK to up to one week of unpaid carer’s leave. 

Millions of unpaid carers - those who look after older, disabled, or seriously ill relatives and friends – would benefit should the bill be passed and become law. 

The bill has cross-party backing from MPs and is supported by the national charity Carers UK, as well as 95 other organisations, including employers, trade unions and employer-representative groups.

Ahead of the bill’s second reading on September 9, Mrs Saville Roberts said: “Looking after someone can be both an immensely rewarding and challenging experience, which is often fraught with difficulties, including accessing the right support and having time off to attend to other important matters.

“As many as 3,434 of my Dwyfor Meirionnydd constituents are currently juggling their work with vital care giving responsibilities for a family member – and I know from recent personal experience, it is an incredibly challenging balancing act.

“The invaluable role of unpaid carers across my constituency and beyond is a lifeline to those that they care for.

“Many carers are driven by a selfless sense of duty, friendship, and love, often to the detriment of their own wellbeing.

“A right to carer’s leave would relieve some of the huge pressures on carers, giving them more flexibility to attend a routine hospital appointment, for example, or help the person they care for to recover from a planned operation or illness. 

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“For employers, research shows that providing their employees with carer’s leave would mean they had fewer staff absences, lower recruitment and retention costs, as well as better staff planning and engagement.

“It would also help to keep many more skilled people in work, contributing to the local economy.

“The benefits of introducing this vital legislation are clear, and that’s why I support the Carer’s Leave Bill which seeks to make life that little bit easier for over two million working carers across the UK. 

“I would urge the UK government to listen to overwhelming calls from those within the care sector, proponents of this bill and others, and work towards enshrining this bill into law, giving a unequivocal signal to carers that they are visible and valued and will be better supported in work and care.”