Employer pilots assessed against reality of work for carers

7 February 2018

The Work and Pensions Committee hears from carers and the Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work.

Carer's stories

Following a visit to Stoke last week to talk to carers "on the ground", and to employers who participated in one of the pilot projects on employment support for carers that was run there, the Committee closes its inquiry with evidence from carers, the Institute for Employment Studies and the Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Sarah Newton MP.

This session focuses on the carer's stories of the reality of juggling work and caring, looking at the information available to them and how good the understanding is of officials – like Jobcentre Plus staff - they deal with. The Committee will also be looking at the findings of the Government-funded pilot projects run in 9 local authority areas, and what should happen next to ensure the lessons from those are not lost.

The Minister responsible, Sarah Newton MP, will be pressed on the moves necessary to make work work for carers, including ideas like carers leave, a right to request flexible working from day one, and the problems with Carers Allowance.

Witnesses

Wednesday 7 February 2018, Wilson Room, Portcullis House

At 9.30am

Nikki Kimber, Carer
Olga Budimir, Carer
Liz Abrahams, Carer
Katie O'Shaughnessy, Carer
Bethan Pound, Carer

At approximately 10.10am

Sally Wilson, Institute for Employment Studies, Senior Research Fellow

At approximately 10.30am

Sarah Newton MP, Minister of State for Disabled People, Health and Work
Duncan Gilchrist, Deputy Director, Fuller Working Lives and State Pensions Policy
Andrew Latto, Deputy Director, Devolution; and Welfare in Later Life

Further information

Image: iStockphoto