Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has backed laws brought in by Labour which allow parents with young children and those who look after sick, frail or disabled relatives to request flexible working.  But 300,000 carers are still forced to give up their job each year to carry out their caring responsibilities - bad for the economy and bad for families.  Statistics from 2011 census estimating 6.5 million people in Britain have caring responsibilities and the figure is growing. Do employers need to do more to recognise the 'hidden carers' in their work force?  While the needs of workers with very young children is well recognised and flexible arrangements for maternity and paternity leave help to support families, its not the case when employees face the additional demands of being 'companion carers' for their elderly relatives.