Overview

This bill amends the Employment Rights Act 1996 to give employees more leave to care for dependants who are ill or disabled. It allows the Secretary of State to set regulations specifying how this leave will be implemented, including the amount of leave allowed and how it can be taken.

Description

The bill primarily amends Section 57A of the Employment Rights Act 1996. This section currently allows employees time off to deal with family emergencies. The bill extends this to include caring for dependants who are disabled, in addition to those who are ill. A new section (57AA) is added, allowing the Secretary of State to create regulations defining “caring responsibilities,” and setting rules on how the leave can be taken (as a single block or multiple shorter periods), the maximum amount of leave, and the maximum aggregate leave within a set period. These regulations will also guarantee that employees retain employment benefits and conditions during their leave and will have the right to return to a comparable job. The regulations will be subject to Parliamentary approval before they can be enacted. The Act extends to England, Scotland, and Wales but excludes Northern Ireland.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify government spending figures. The cost will depend on the regulations created by the Secretary of State concerning the leave entitlement and the associated administrative costs.

Groups Affected

• Employees: Employees will potentially benefit from more time off to care for ill or disabled dependants. The impact will depend on the specifics of the regulations.
• Employers: Employers will need to comply with the new regulations, which could potentially increase their administrative burden and labor costs.
• Dependants: Individuals who are ill or disabled and require care will benefit indirectly, as their carers will have more time available to assist them.

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