can I take time off for urgent family reasons?

The Employment Rights Act gives all employees the right to dependants' leave. this is a right to reasonable time off work to help adepedant in certain circumstances.

The law defines "dependant" and lists the circumstances that apply to this type of absence.

Your employer does not have to pay you if you take dependants leaves. Employees' jobs are protected during their absence on dependants' leave

Employees' jobs are protected during their absence on dependants' leave.