Carers need legal right to work, says charity

Carers Scotland claims Scots have fewer rights than English counterparts

News, 27 March 2008

Scotland's army of carers are losing out because they lack the same legal rights as those in England & Wales, according to the charity Carers Scotland.

Presenting evidence to the Scottish Parliament, Carers Scotland claimed that many people looking after relatives were forced into giving up their jobs or studies because of the way their situations were assessed by social work authorities. In England, carers are legally entitled to remain in work or study, but in Scotland such commitments only have to be "considered" by authorities when assessing the amount of care needed.

It is estimated that there are more than 660,000 carers in Scotland looking after sick or disabled relatives or friends. Their contribution is estimated at saving the state £7.6 billion a year.

Carers Scotland's policy and parliamentary affairs officer Fiona Collie said changing the law could make a real difference, as it would give carers the same rights as everyone else. She added that at the moment there was an assumption that carers were willing to give up their jobs, and that the problem was compounded by the lack of flexibility in workplaces.

MSP Margaret Mitchell, chair of Holyrood's Equal Opportunities Committee, said Scotland had an army of carers who weren't getting the support they needed and that the committee would be recommending improvements to legislation, such as an entitlement to minimum respite days.