British Gas today gave its firm backing to the Carers (Equal Opportunities) Bill, Dr Hywel Francis MP’s Private Members’ Bill, which will give new rights and opportunities to carers in England and Wales. The Bill could make a vital difference to carers of working age by placing a duty on local authorities to tell carers about their rights and to promote carers’ opportunities to work, train and attend courses on life-long learning.
Mark Clare, Managing Director of British Gas said, As a company, we’ve been proactive in developing flexible employment policies for carers within our workforce, to help them combine work and care. This Bill will not only provide carers with the vital information that they need, but will make both the private and public sector think about how they can make services more responsive for carers who need to work or study. For British Gas, as an employer, this means fewer problems for staff in combining work and care, enabling them to remain at work longer.
He added, that is why British Gas has given its support to the Bill today. We see the benefits not only for our employees in accessing flexible employment opportunities, but also the economic benefits for us as a business. We hope that the Bill will be successful when it has its Second Reading on 6 February.
Imelda Redmond, Acting Chief Executive of Carers UK, said, Every year, 2.3 million people become carers, around 80% of whom will be of working age. Our research has shown that every year, carers have to give up work in order to care, at times because support is not organised in a way that enables carers to juggle work and care. We also know from our research that as soon as carers give up work, their income plummets.
She added, British Gas has highlighted the fact that employers can help carers by providing more flexible support, but if the services do not help, then a carer still might fall out of work. This Bill will help to change that if it is successful.
British Gas welcomes new Carers Bill
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