Strain on older partners

OLDER age group provide the mos hours of unpaid care per week

Women aged 75 to 79 and men aged 85 to 89 make up the highest percentage of 50 hours or more of care

There has also been an increase in the percentage of women age 85 and over providing unpaid care (6 3% in 2021 compared to 5 9% in 2011

Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said: “It is alarming that there are more women over 85 years providing unpaid care

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– a point in life where they do less than they once uld, and likely dealing ith health problems of heir own, this group must be better upported to care

“Similarly, given those ver 70 are most likely to e providing 50 hours or ore of unpaid care per ek, it is imperative that Government delivers nding our social care o desperately needs so that these older carers can get support and necessary breaks ”

Sign up for our newsletter . . . www.alltogethernow.org.uk SPRING 2023

The landmark Carer ’s Leave Bill has passed the third reading in the House of Commons and and now moves to the Lords

The landmark Bill will now pass to the House of Lords for its next stages Wendy Chamberlain MP for North East Fife, who brought forward her Private Member ’s Bill last June, said: “This is an amazing milestone on the way to giving millions more people the support they need to stay in work

“But this is also a starting point: a start for conversations between employers and those who work for them about providing support, the start of campaigning for paid leave, and the start of a process in which we give carers the recognition and value they deserve ”

It’s all about being flexible

THE Government has confirmed that new legislation would grant employees the right to request a flexible working routine

After campaigning for this right for carers, Carers UK warmly welcomed the announcement, which would make a difference to millions of unpaid carers juggling work with looking after an older, disabled or seriously ill relative or friend

Helen Walker, head of Carers UK, said: “Being able to request flexible working from day one of starting a job means carers can now better balance their caring responsibilities ”

Ms Walker said if it successfully becomes law, the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Bill would allow employees – including working carers – to make two flexible working requests in any 12-month period