Government and employers urged to make more time for under-pressure carers

Supporting Parents and Carers Campaign

Shopworkers’ union Usdaw will be flying the flag for the UK’s unsung army of carers who are juggling their working lives with their caring responsibilities on Tuesday June 14 as part of its nationwide Supporting Parents & Carers campaign.

The problems faced by the UK’s carers will be visually portrayed by a juggler outside the House of Commons who will be showing Usdaw members and MPs how to keep three balls in the air (representing work, life and caring) at a special event between 10.30am – 11.30am at College Green.

“British industry needs to face up to the enormous amount of pressure on working people who have caring responsibilities,” said Usdaw general secretary John Hannett. “Many of them have to juggle work commitments, caring duties and still try and maintain a healthy work/life balance. That’s why we are calling on the Government and employers to allow carers the right to; request flexible working; paid time off for family illness and; better access to carers’ allowance.

“We believe it makes good business sense to give carers more choice at work to help them balance the competing demands on their time. Employers will be rewarded by lower staff turnover, higher staff morale, lower absenteeism, and the reputation for being a responsible and caring company.

“In terms of carers’ allowance, currently, £45.70 a week, this is too low. We also want the Government to raise the amount someone can earn and still qualify for carers’ allowance. Currently if you earn more than £82 a week you can’t claim.”

Notes to Editors:

• In the UK, one in eight people are carers, most of them looking after elderly relatives.

• The majority of carers are women.

• People aged between 45–64 are more likely to be carers.

• (Pictures of the London event will be available on request via e-mail later in the day. Contact arena@usdaw.org.uk.)

• Background information is available at: www.usdaw.org.uk/campaigns/supportingparentsandcarers

• Contacts for newsdesks: Mike Glover can be contacted on 0161 249 2442 or e-mail mike.glover@usdaw.org.uk.

• Usdaw (the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK’s fifth biggest trade union, with over 340,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.

• More information and news releases are available at our online Newsroom.

• Journalists can subscribe to receive Usdaw news releases via our online e-news service.

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© 2003 (USDAW) Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers
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