ALMOST two-thirds of Scotland’s population believes working carers should have the same statutory leave rights as working parents, according to new research.

Savings and retirement business Phoenix Group, which carried out the study, has called on the UK Government to speed up legislation to give employed carers greater support.

It said 3.5 million Scots said they believed working carers should have the same statutory leave rights as working parents.

With today marking the start of Carers Week, the research showed Scots are advocates for employed carers’ rights, with the majority (78%) saying businesses should support those who have carer responsibilities.

Four in five people in Scotland (79%) approved of statutory carer’s leave, which would be unpaid in line with statutory parental leave, while almost half (46%) supported statutory paid carer’s leave.

Phoenix said in the last year, 4.4 million employed carers across the UK took annual leave specifically to care for someone else, taking on average six days out of their annual leave allowance.

READ MORE: Upsurge in local volunteering is not ‘big society solution’

The UK Government is consulting on introducing working carers’ statutory rights which include five days unpaid leave, but Phoenix wants the legislation brought forward without delay and for employers who can, to offer the five days leave as paid.

Andy Briggs, its chief executive and Government Business Champion for Older Workers, said: “Employed carers should not have to decide between continuing to work and caring for loved ones. Just like working parents, working carers face ongoing challenges as a result of their commitments and need specific support.

“As we recognise the important role of all carers this national Carers Week and the additional pressure many face due to the pandemic, we call on the Government to accelerate legislation on statutory leave for those carers who want to continue to work, while caring for someone who depends on them.”

Three in 10 UK workers (30%) believed they might be forced to give up their existing job due to an unsupportive and inflexible employer if they needed to help care for a dependent or relative.

Sue McLintock, manager, Carer Positive Awards, Carers Scotland added: “Every day, 600 people give up work to care because for some, the pressure simply becomes too much.

“As carers begin returning to work, it has never been more important that Government and employers put measures in place to help prevent valuable members of staff dropping out of the workforce. Providing paid carers’ leave should be an important element of how employers support the health and wellbeing of carers and the resilience of their organisations.”