Carers Week 2025 began yesterday with a joint ministerial visit to leading employer TSB Bank plc.
The Minister for Employment Rights, Competition and Markets, Justin Madders MP, and Minister of State for Care, Stephen Kinnock MP, visited TSB’s head office to hear directly from employees with caring responsibilities about how flexible working and paid Carer’s Leave are making a difference at TSB.
Discussion focused on how the UK Government and businesses across the country can better support millions of unpaid carers who are currently balancing paid employment with their unpaid caring responsibilities for family and friends.
TSB, an active member of Employers for Carers and a Carer Confident Ambassador, shared insights into its leading approach to supporting carers in the workplace. In June 2020, TSB introduced a Carer’s Policy providing their employees with caring responsibilities access to 70 hours of paid Carer’s Leave each year, a Carer’s Passport, and flexibility and understanding to balance work and care.
TSB employees who are juggling work and care shared powerful personal stories with Ministers of how paid Carer’s Leave and the other support mechanisms TSB has in place have improved their professional lives, financial stability, and health and wellbeing.
Carers Week charities are calling for more employers to develop carer-friendly practice and adopt policies that support their employees who are juggling paid work with caring responsibilities.
Commenting on the visit, Helen Walker, Chief Executive, Carers UK, said:
“This Carers Week, with our focus on “Caring about Equality”, we are confronting the reality that too many unpaid carers face significant inequalities in their lives because of their caring responsibilities. The difficult balancing act working carers face can often leave them working below their potential or giving up work to care if they don’t receive the support they need.
“The research released yesterday to mark Carers Week found that nearly half (44%) of unpaid carers in employment have had a mental or physical health condition develop or become worse since they began caring.
“Carers Week provides us with a real opportunity to encourage more employers to follow the lead of forward-thinking businesses like TSB and take action to implement carer-friendly practices that give their employees the support they need to continue working and maintain their health and wellbeing.”
Kate Osiadacz, Head of Responsible Business, TSB, said:
"With around one in seven of the UK's workforce juggling caring responsibilities with their career, it's crucial that more employers consider the support they can provide to help carers manage this balance.
"At TSB we've seen first-hand the positive impact that paid leave, alongside a wider package of support, has had for both our colleagues' careers and our talent retention. That's why this Carers Week, we're calling on more organisations to consider what more they can do to help carers balance their careers with supporting loved ones".
Minister for Employment Rights, Competition and Markets, Justin Madders MP, said:
“We all recognise the vital role that unpaid carers play in the lives of those they care for, but too often employers don’t offer the security or flexibility they need to build a career.
“That’s why as part of our Plan for Change we’re modernising the world of work, making flexible working the default to ensure there are good jobs for carers and a skilled workforce for employers.
“It’s excellent that employers such as TSB are backing their potential and I look forward to working with them and others so more carers get a fair shot at a long and successful career.”
Minister of State for Care, Stephen Kinnock MP, said:
“It was fantastic to visit TSB yesterday and hear from people about their experiences of caring alongside their careers.
“I pay tribute to the huge contribution of carers and their selfless work supporting their family, friends and loved ones.
“I welcome the support that TSB provides for their staff with caring responsibilities. These measures not only recognise the immense pressures of being a carer but also enable many carers to remain in work and not feel they need to choose between the two.”
