On 10th June 2025, the Scottish Parliament passed the Care Reform Bill. For the first time, unpaid carers in Scotland will have a legal right to breaks from caring. This is an historic moment for carers and the carers’ movement, who have been campaigning for the right to a break for carers for over a decade. As well as securing an entitlement to time away from their caring role, it affirms unpaid carers need for rest and leisure, and formally recognises the vital contribution they make.
As well as establishing a legal right to breaks for unpaid carers, the legislation will also deliver Anne’s Law, which will uphold the rights of care home residents to see their loved ones except in the most extreme circumstances.
For further information on the bill, follow this link to the Scottish Government update: https://www.gov.scot/news/care-reform-scotland-bill-passed/
If you’d like to read Coalition of Carers statement, you can do so here: https://www.carersnet.org/care-reform-scotland-bill-passed/