Alzheimer’s Society has responded to George Osborne’s plan to give working grandparents the right to take time off to help care for their grandchildren.

As an extension of flexible parental leave the change is being introduced to encourage people to stay in work for longer rather than having to give up their jobs if they want to support their families in the first year of a grandchild’s life.

Jeremy Hughes, Chief Executive of Alzheimer’s Society, however feels the changes do not consider carers for people with dementia.

He said: “The Government has recognised the need to improve parents’ access to childcare to help people stay in work and maintain economic recovery. However, attention should also be given to supporting those in work caring for a spouse or parent with dementia.

“In the UK alone, there are 670,000 carers for people with dementia. An aging population and further cuts to social care are combining to create a perfect storm which could lead to tens of thousands of working people forced to give up their jobs to look after elderly relatives in future.”