Employers for Carers - an influential special interest group promoting the benefits to business of supporting carers in the workplace - will today challenge the government to provide services and support that enable people to juggle their paid jobs with caring.
Sir Roy Gardner, Chief Executive of Centrica and President of Carers UK, will be putting the groupís case to Margaret Hodge MP, Minister for Work, at a dinner at the House of Lords tonight (Tuesday 13 September) hosted by Baroness Pitkeathley, a long-time campaigner on carersí issues.
There are six million unpaid carers in the UK, many combining work with care. They save the economy 57 billion each year and the number of carers is expected to rise as we face an ageing population.
Caroline Waters, Chair of Employers for Carers and Director of People and Policy at BT says, ìWe have become increasingly aware that no degree of carer-friendly employment practice can be effective if services are not in place to support them. If carers cannot have good, reliable home care or day centres that cover the working day, they wonít be able to work because the needs of the person they care for will always come first.
ìThis is an issue which will just get bigger as people work longer and the population ages. We believe this is the time to forge a partnership with government to make a difference to carers, before the challenge becomes a crisis.î
Imelda Redmond, Chief Executive of Carers UK, says
ìIf carers are to continue to carry the lionís share of care while staying in work, it is critical that there are good services to support them. A recent survey by the Equal Opportunities Commission in the UK found that five out of ten carers give up work to care, and a survey by Centrica, holding company for British Gas, found that a worrying seven out of ten of their skilled employees were forced to choose their caring responsibilities over their job. It is vital that government, employers and stakeholders work together to find solutions to the demographic timebomb of caringî.
Since the Employers for Carers group was formed, it has created a dedicated website resource for employers and carers, including a benchmarking assessment tool and a series of good practice guides. The group also supported the successful passage of the Carers (Equal Opportunities) Act 2004.
The group will now take on an advisory role to the Action for Carers in Employment ñ ACE National - partnership, ensuring that employers have a voice as a key stakeholder in promoting social care that enables their employees to juggle work and care.
Carers UK will continue to work with Government to find joined up solutions to the additional barriers carers face in working, including flexible working and tax credits.
Top business group for carers hands challenge to government
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