The UK Government has launched a consultation seeking views on whether employment rights should be strengthened for unpaid carers and parents of seriously ill children.
The proposals form part of the government’s wider Make Work Pay agenda and include consideration of additional workplace protections that could help people balance caring responsibilities with employment. The consultation also explores the principles behind “Hugh’s Law”, a campaign calling for improved rights and financial support for parents whose children become seriously ill.
Areas under consideration include:
- whether unpaid carers need additional workplace support beyond existing rights
- improvements to information and guidance available to carers and employers
- potential new protections to help parents caring for seriously ill children remain in or return to work
- options such as enhanced leave arrangements and stronger employment protections
The government is inviting responses from unpaid carers, parents, employers, representative organisations and other stakeholders to help shape future policy.
For fashion and textile businesses, the consultation presents an opportunity to share views on how any new rights could support employees while remaining practical for employers, particularly SMEs.
Members interested in contributing can review the consultation and submit their views through the government’s consultation page. The consultation is part of a review of employment rights for unpaid carers and follows commitments made under the Employment Rights Act 2025 and the Plan to Make Work Pay.
The consultation will close on 1 September 2026.
