By Matthew Rowlinson, Principal Lawyer
The Government has recently launched a consultation as part of its Make Work Pay agenda on 9 June 2026. It asks whether current employment rights give enough support to unpaid carers and parents of seriously ill children. The consultation follows the Employment Rights Act 2025 and looks at whether the Carer’s Leave Act 2023, including the current right to unpaid carer’s leave, is working well in practice.
Ministers are seeking views from carers, parents, employers, trade unions and other stakeholders before deciding whether legislative reform is required. The Government says the aim is to create a fairer and more flexible labour market that supports workers with caring responsibilities while balancing the needs of employers. The review asks for evidence on how existing rights are used and whether stronger rights are needed. The options include clearer guidance, more unpaid carer’s leave, a longer period of leave with a right to return to work, and paid carer’s leave.
The consultation also looks at support for parents and primary caregivers of seriously ill children through the proposed “Hugh’s Law”. This could create a new right to leave and pay after a child is diagnosed with a serious illness. The Government is asking who should qualify, what evidence should be needed, how long the leave should last, and how much should be paid.
Trade unions are named as consultees and have an important role to play. They can provide evidence about members’ experiences, including the limits of unpaid leave, the effect of caring duties on staying in work and progressing at work, and the need for clear legal rights rather than reliance on employer discretion. The consultation closes on 1 September 2026.
Takeaway
Trade union clients should consider responding to the consultation and pressing for practical, enforceable improvements to carers’ rights. This could include paid carer’s leave, stronger job protection through any right to return, and clear guidance that helps unions bargain for better workplace support. Unions may also want to gather evidence from members now about the financial and workplace barriers faced by carers and parents of seriously ill children.
