A TUNBRIDGE Wells man who has been campaigning for working carers for 13 years has been invited to organise a ‘drop-in’ session for MPs at Westminster in February.
Chris Jeffery’s Mending the Gap campaign is calling for the government to legislate paid time off for all working carers to take their loved ones to appointments.
Currently, working carers must take unpaid leave or use holiday entitlement.
Mr Jeffery was diagnosed with a major kidney and bladder disorder 37 years ago, and his wife Jenny is his carer, although she also suffers from diabetes and arthritis.
Mr Jeffery has campaigned directly with MPs through the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Disability and told the Times he was asked to organise his own event following a meeting last week.
“After the pandemic, it has been found that MPs and peers want to change the way All-Party Parliamentary Groups work,” he said.
“Instead of addressing a meeting, I will be in Westminster for MPs and Lords to come to see me and allow me to raise awareness of the issues facing working family carers.”
His event will take place at the Palace of Westminster on February 21, 2023.
“I’m already working on arranging meetings for next year,” he added.
Mr Jeffery’s campaign aims and news can be found at: mendingthegap.co.uk or @mendingthegap on Twitter.
