Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, pursuant to the Answer of 13 June 2025 to Question 57646 on Children in Care: Discrimination, if she will make caring a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010.

There are currently no plans to make caring a legally protected characteristic. Carers are likely to be already protected from less favourable treatment under the Equality Act 2010, under the “discrimination by association” provisions, which require employers to treat employees with caring responsibilities fairly and not to discriminate directly against them because they are looking after a young, old or disabled relative.