SUPPORTING CARERS TO WORK FLEXIBLY

Early day motion 2282, tabled 5 June 2006 by Helen Jones (Labour). Signed by 119 members.

That this House fully appreciates the valuable role performed by six million carers in the UK, in the majority of cases without any financial recognition from the state; recognises that many carers wish to work and need to do so to make ends meet in addition to providing more than 35 hours per week of care for an elderly or sick dependant; congratulates the Government on plans to extend the right to request flexible work to carers from April 2007; encourages the Government to ensure that this right is extended to include the widest possible range of carers; urges the Government to enable carers to combine flexible and fulfilling employment with their caring role, and to give employers the flexibility that they need from their staff, by abolishing the `gainfully employed' rule that prevents carers from earning more than £84 per week whilst claiming carer's allowance of £46.95 per week.

Signatures by party: Labour 91, Liberal Democrat 15, DUP 6, Conservative 4, Plaid Cymru 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1, UUP 1.