Thousands of unpaid carers, including those unable to attend protests in person, are demanding new legal protections for regular paid breaks to combat exhaustion and financial strain, as campaign groups and MPs call on the UK government to reform carers’ rights and funding.
Steve Lewis, a 64-year-old from Tottenham, participated in a recent protest outside the Houses of Parliament by appearing via an LED screen, due to his responsibilities as an unpaid carer that prevent him from leaving home. This demonstration was part of a broader campaign organised by Carers Trust and Uncommon Creative Studio, which seeks to highlight the plight of unpaid carers across the UK. Recent statistics reveal that one in three unpaid carers rarely have the opportunity to step away from their caring duties and do not possess any legal entitlement to time off.
Carers Trust is spearheading a campaign urging the UK government to grant all unpaid carers a legal right to regular breaks, underscoring the risk many face of exhaustion and declining mental health without proper respite. Their petition calls not only for formal recognition of such rights but also for funding to support the well-being of carers and prevent burnout from prolonged caregiving.
Complementing this, Carers UK has made a direct appeal to the government to build upon existing carers’ statutory rights with the introduction of one week of paid leave annually. Research supporting their proposal indicates that financial hardship frequently prevents working carers from taking the time off they are entitled to, leaving many trapped between their employment and caregiving responsibilities. Advocates argue that paid leave would alleviate this pressure, enabling carers to manage both roles more sustainably.
The urgent nature of this issue was further emphasised when over 10,000 unpaid carers delivered an open letter to the newly appointed Prime Minister. Organised by Carers UK, the letter calls for comprehensive reforms, including an overhaul of Carer’s Allowance, the establishment of paid Carer’s Leave, and secure long-term funding for adult social care. These measures are seen as critical to ensuring support systems are put in place for unpaid carers who form a vital part of the nation’s care infrastructure.
Research backed by TSB Bank reveals that more than half of working carers, approximately 56%, cannot afford to take unpaid carers’ leave. This financial barrier effectively denies many carers access to their statutory rights, highlighting the widespread economic challenges posed by unpaid care work. Paid leave provisions, therefore, are advocated as essential to enable a better balance between work and care commitments.
Commentators such as Emily Kenway have also weighed in, discussing carer’s leave in the context of Britain’s broader reliance on unpaid care. Kenway critiques the system’s undervaluation of caregiving and calls for a more equitable framework that recognises and adequately supports carers socially and financially.
The issue has also gained traction in Parliament, where the Liberal Democrats have voiced strong support for enhancing the Carer’s Leave Act 2023. In recent debates, they proposed increasing Carer’s Allowance and introducing free personal care, along with statutory guarantees for regular respite breaks, urging the government to cement these protections in law.
Collectively, these efforts underscore a growing recognition of unpaid carers’ essential contributions and the urgent need for legal and financial reforms to support their health, well-being, and ability to sustain their caregiving roles.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/gallery/2025/jul/22/immigration-agents-in-new-york-and-protests-in-london-photos-of-the-day-tuesday – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://carers.org/news-and-media/petition-give-all-unpaid-carers-the-legal-right-to-a-break – Carers Trust is campaigning for the UK government to grant all unpaid carers the legal right to regular breaks. They highlight that many carers are at risk of exhaustion and mental health issues due to the lack of time off. The petition calls for a clear legal entitlement to regular breaks, with funding to support carers’ well-being and prevent burnout.
- https://www.personneltoday.com/hr/carers-uk-calls-for-right-to-one-weeks-paid-leave/ – Carers UK is urging the government to extend carers’ statutory rights by introducing one week of paid leave per year. Research indicates that financial constraints prevent many working carers from taking time off, even when entitled. The proposal aims to help carers balance work and caregiving responsibilities more effectively.
- https://www.carersuk.org/press-releases/open-letter-signed-by-more-than-10-000-unpaid-carers-delivered-to-new-prime-minister/ – Over 10,000 unpaid carers delivered an open letter to the new Prime Minister, calling for increased support and a new National Carers Strategy. The letter, organised by Carers UK, outlines key priorities such as reforming Carer’s Allowance, introducing paid Carer’s Leave, and securing long-term funding for adult social care.
- https://hrreview.co.uk/hr-news/employment-law/more-than-half-of-carers-cant-afford-to-take-unpaid-carers-leave/377991 – Research by Carers UK, supported by TSB Bank, found that 56% of working carers cannot afford unpaid leave, preventing them from utilising their statutory rights. The study highlights the financial challenges carers face and the need for paid leave to balance work and caregiving responsibilities.
- https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/apr/05/right-to-carers-leave-britain-unpaid-care-work-cancer – Emily Kenway discusses the introduction of carer’s leave in Britain, highlighting its importance for employees balancing work and caregiving. However, she critiques the system that relies on unpaid care, arguing for a more equitable approach that values caregiving and provides adequate support for carers.
- https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2025-05-14/debates/A4698711-DC58-444D-8356-7C30591EDB52/Carer%E2%80%99SLeave – In a parliamentary debate, the Liberal Democrats advocate for paid carer’s leave, building on the Carer’s Leave Act 2023. They propose increasing Carer’s Allowance and introducing free personal care to support carers, emphasising the need for a statutory guarantee of regular respite breaks.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative presents recent events from 22 July 2025, including a protest outside the Houses of Parliament and immigration agents in New York. The protest is part of a campaign by Carers Trust and Uncommon Creative Studio, highlighting the challenges faced by unpaid carers in the UK. The earliest known publication date of similar content is 22 July 2025, indicating freshness. The narrative includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative includes direct quotes from Steve Lewis, a 64-year-old from Tottenham, and Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK. The earliest known usage of these quotes is 22 July 2025, indicating originality. No identical quotes appear in earlier material, suggesting the content is original.
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative originates from The Guardian, a reputable organisation known for its journalistic standards. The report is based on recent events and includes direct quotes from individuals involved, enhancing its credibility.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative presents plausible claims about the challenges faced by unpaid carers in the UK, supported by recent data and direct quotes. The protest outside the Houses of Parliament aligns with ongoing campaigns by Carers Trust and Uncommon Creative Studio. The language and tone are consistent with typical journalistic reporting.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative presents recent, original content from a reputable source, with direct quotes and plausible claims supported by recent data. The freshness score is slightly reduced due to the inclusion of recycled material, but this does not significantly impact the overall assessment.
