News

Prime minister Tony Blair has pledged to extend the right to request flexible working to carers of older and sick relatives.

The move will bring carers into line with parents of children aged under six or disabled children aged under 18, who have enjoyed the right since April 2003.

The measures also place a duty on employers to take the requests seriously. At present, carers can only request time off for emergencies.

Carers’ charity Carers UK said that the pledge was a “huge step forward for working carers’ rights”, with over half the nation’s six million carers in employment.

Imelda Redmond, chief executive of the charity, said: “Our work over the years has shown time and time again that flexibility from employers helps carers to stay in work longer."