Ceredigion’s Welsh Liberal Democrat MP Mark Williams has today introduced a Bill to give carers a right to request flexible working.

The Government is to consult on rights to flexible working, and the Ten Minute Rule Bill sought to push the Government further on their plans.

Current legislation allows carers to make a request for flexible working from their employers after six months, but some definitions of carers are excluded. The Bill would introduce a simpler definition of carers, and so-called ‘day one’ rights that would allow carers to request flexible working when they start a job, rather than after six months.

Ten Minute Rule Bills rarely become law, but are a good way for issues to be raised and for pressure to be put on the Government to take action.

Commenting, Mark Williams said: “Carers do a fantastic job, but it can be difficult to balance care responsibilities with paid employment.

“The Government will be consulting on improving access to flexible working, and I wanted to raise the issues facing many carers under the current legislation so that the Government can consider them as part of the consultation.

“Currently the definition of carers excludes up to 75,000 carers from the regulations on flexible working, and a simpler definition would assist both those left out, and employers in cutting red tape.

“Currently, the right to request flexible working is only available after six months working for an employer, and I hope that the Government will consult on introducing day one rights, as it is a real barrier for carers seeking to enter or re-enter employment.

“This Bill has support from across the House, and I hope that the Government will ensure that these issues are considered as part of their consultation.”