New data from Carers UK reveals that approximately 1,500 individuals each day have been leaving their jobs over the past two years to become unpaid carers for loved ones. This trend has led to more than one million people stepping away from employment to provide unpaid care, highlighting the growing social and economic impact of caregiving responsibilities on UK households.
According to Carers UK, one in five employees, equating to 6.7 million people, currently balance paid work alongside caring for family or friends, facing significant career and financial challenges as a result. Emily Holzhausen, Director of Policy at Carers UK, emphasises the human side of these statistics, stating, “These figures represent real people who have had to make difficult decisions about their careers, their financial security and their futures due to the pressures of balancing work and care.”
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) offers a Carer’s Allowance payment of £86.45 per week, around £345 per month, to those who provide at least 35 hours of care weekly to someone receiving certain qualifying benefits. It is not necessary for carers to be related to or live with the person they care for. However, payment is fixed regardless of the number of people being cared for, and if multiple carers support the same individual, only one claim can be made.
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To qualify for Carer’s Allowance, carers must meet eligibility criteria which include the amount of time spent caring and the nature of support provided. Care activities can encompass assistance with personal tasks such as washing and cooking, accompanying the cared-for person to medical appointments, and managing household duties including bill payments and shopping. Additionally, claimants must have earnings of £204 or less per week, after deductions for tax, National Insurance, and expenses.
A spokesperson from the Labour Party acknowledged the significance of unpaid carers, saying, “Unpaid carers make an extraordinary contribution to families, our communities and the economy, and I would like to personally thank Carers UK for their invaluable work in supporting unpaid carers and championing the issues they face every day.”
The spokesperson further noted the party’s commitment to supporting carers through employment rights initiatives, stating, “We want to ensure there are good jobs for carers who want to work alongside managing their caring responsibilities. This is why we are exploring how best to support unpaid carers through our review of employment rights.”