Carer's Leave set to come into force on 6 April 2024

From 6th April 2024 employees with caring responsibilities are entitled to take up to a week of unpaid leave each year to look after someone who relies on them because they are ill, have an injury, are disabled or have care needs because of their age.

This applies to all employees who need to give or arrange care for a dependant who has: 

• A physical or mental illness or injury that means they need care for more than three months

• A disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010

• Care needs because of their old age.

How much carers leave can an employee take?

Employees can take up to one week of leave every 12 months.  This is pro rata for part time employees.  For example, if an employee usually works three days a week, then they can take three days of carer’s leave.

Carers Leave can be taken as a whole week off or as individual days or half days throughout the year.

If an employee needs to care for more than one person, they cannot take a week of carer’s leave for each dependant. Employees can use the week of leave on more than one dependant.

Employers should now update their policies ready for April.

Further details regarding carers leave can be found here.

New Paternity Leave Regulations

The Government has now published draft legislation (Paternity Leave (Amendment) Regulations 2024) following its announcement last summer to make changes to paternity leave rights.

Eligible employees will now be able to:

• Take their two-week paternity leave entitlement in two separate one-week blocks. (Currently they have to take either just one week in total or two consecutive weeks.)

• Take paternity leave at any time in the 52 weeks after the birth of the child (rather than within 56 days following the birth).

Eligible employees will also only need to give 28 days’ notice of their intention to take paternity leave. (Previously notice was required to be given 15 weeks before the expected week of childbirth.)

The Regulations apply in all cases where the expected week of childbirth is on, or after, 6th April 2024.

National Minimum Wage Rates from 1st April 2024

Every year, the National Minimum Wage (NMW) including the National Living Wage (NLW) are set to rise from the 1st April.

The new rates from the 1st April will be:

• NLW 21 years old and over £11.44 per hour

• Age18-20 £8.60 per hour

• Age16-17 £6.40 per hour

• Apprentice rate £6.40 per hour

If you pay any employees the NLW or NMW, or close to it, it’s a good idea to check their current pay now to see what adjustments you need to make ready for April.

Other Important Rises from 8th April 2024

Weekly rates that will apply from 8th April include:

• Statutory maternity, paternity, adoption, parental bereavement, and shared parental payments will rise to £184.03 per week

• Statutory sick pay, which will rise to £116.75 per week from 6th April.

If this is written into your policies then don’t forget to amend them ready for April.