Research and analysis

Qualitative research with unpaid carers

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) commissioned research to explore the early impacts of the Carer’s Leave Act 2023.

• From: Department for Business and Trade
• Published: 12 June 2026

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

Documents

Carer's Leave: qualitative research report

PDF, 574 KB, 55 pages

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Details

DBT commissioned Verian to undertake research to explore the early impacts of the Carer’s Leave Act 2023 on the employment experiences of unpaid carers, to inform DBT’s review of employment rights for unpaid carers.

The research was commissioned as part of a wider programme of work on carer’s leave. It aimed to address an evidence gap on how the new entitlement is operating in practice, and to provide early insights to inform the statutory review of the policy.

Findings draw on 50 in-depth interviews, carried out between 10 November 2025 and 15 December 2025, with unpaid carers who were in paid work or had recently left employment.

Published 12 June 2026