Alastair Mitton Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate for Ealing Central and Acton hailed the Carer's Leave Bill, introduced by Liberal Democrat MP Wendy Chamberlain, which passed its final hurdle last week.

Alastair Mitton said: "Liberal Democrats say this important piece of legislation will make such a difference to the millions of carers who up until now have faced terrible choices between keeping their jobs and caring for loved ones. Liberal Democrats have said that for far too long carers have wrestled with the responsibility of their jobs and their loved ones. This Bill goes a long way towards correcting this historic injustice."

The Bill, which has been described by the charity Carers UK as a 'landmark' piece of legislation, had cross-party support and passed unopposed. The Bill gives an estimated 2.4 million carers across the UK a statutory right to take five days of unpaid leave per year, helping carers to better balance work and care.

Liberal Democrat MP Wendy Chamberlain said: "Unpaid carers are the backbone of our society. I said that at the beginning of this process almost a year ago, and I believe it even more strongly today. Millions of people care for loved ones, doing everything from day-to-day physical caring, washing, dressing and feeding for those who cannot care for themselves, to things like shopping for a housebound elderly relative. The Carer's Leave Bill is a first step to providing greater support. It will allow carers to take time off work to manage caring responsibilities. I hope that it will provide many people with the flexibility they need."