. At the moment the only right is to unpaid time off for dependants. In some cases Usdaw has been successful in negotiating paid time off for family illness with employers.
One of the negotiating aims of our Parents and Carers campaign is paid family leave agreements.
A clearer understanding of their rights
We are working hard to make sure members with caring commitments know about their rights.
Many carers in Usdaw don't know about their rights to Time off for Dependants. Many more won't know about the rights that Usdaw has negotiated for them, rights like paid family leave, flexible working hours, the right to take holiday leave at short notice for family illness and paid time off for family hospital appointments.
Our new working carers leaflet will help to raise awareness of carers rights.
Better access to carers allowance
Carer's Allowance is the main state benefit for carers. Carer's Allowance is currently worth £45.70 a week.
Usdaw believes the level of Carers Allowance is too low. We also want 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.
Some basic facts about carers
- Around 1 in 8 people in the UK are carers, most of them looking after elderly people.
- The majority of carers are women.
- The peak age for becoming a carer is between 45 and 64.
- The amount of time carers spend looking after someone is on the increase.
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Carers in Usdaw [ pdf ]
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