New figures show carers in low level jobs

• Almost 45 per cent of men and 55 per cent of women who are in paid work and caring for 20+ hours a week are in ‘elementary occupations’
• 2001 Census shows that working carers are up to three times more likely to report poor health
• Young Bangladeshi and Pakistani men and women are three times more likely than other young people to combine work and care

A new report published today (Wednesday 27 September 2006) by Carers UK shows that carers who provide more than 20 hours of care a week are clustered in low level, low paid jobs.

The charity is calling on the Government to put in place urgently a long term strategy to tackle the quality, delivery and quantity of support services to allow carers to have equal opportunities in the workplace.

The report, ‘More than a Job. Working Carers: Evidence from the 2001 Census’, shows that working carers are up to three times more likely to be in poor health than their non-working counterparts. Working carers are more likely to be employed in non-managerial positions, beneath their full potential, and those from minority ethnic groups are even more likely to combine work and care.

The new report is launched to coincide with a fringe meeting at the Labour Party Conference at 12.30pm on Wednesday 27 September 2006, held by Carers UK in partnership with Help the Aged and the King’s Fund.  Called The Demographic Timebomb: can we afford not to care, the meeting will be addressed by Ivan Lewis MP, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Care Services.

Commenting on the report, Chief Executive of Carers UK, Imelda Redmond says;

“Caring will happen to almost all of us at some stage in our lives. It is part of a social contract – we all need to give and receive care at some point. We face a demographic time bomb with an ageing population and a shrinking workforce. Therefore we simply have to start supporting working carers now, as they will be vital to our economic future.”

She adds, “The quality, delivery and quantity of support services for older people and those with disabilities has to be improved. There are also significant barriers in the benefits and tax system that prevent carers working full time or at all. At the moment, those juggling work and care are paying a heavy penalty in terms of their own health and wellbeing, and businesses are losing out on their full potential and skills. The Government must address this issue as a matter of great urgency.”

The launch of the research is part of an extensive programme at all three party conferences to raise the profile of carers' needs amongst decision-makers.  At the Labour Party Conference, Carers UK will also be partnering with organisations including the British Institute of Human Rights, the Disability Rights Commission, the Institute for Public Policy Research and the Equal Opportunities Commission to debate diverse issues such as equalities, quality of services, discrimination, work and employment opportunities. 

Imelda Redmond, Chief Executive of Carers UK, will be speaking alongside others such as the Rt Hon Ruth Kelly MP, Secretary of State for Communities, Meg Munn MP, Equalities Minister, and Trevor Phillips, the newly announced Chair for the Commission for Equalities and Human Rights.

-ends-

21 September 2006

For further information

Keir Bosley or Patricia Orr, T. 020 7592 3106, M. 07813 130 266 or keir@thirdsectorpr.co.uk

Kate Groucutt, Policy and Public Affairs Officer, Carers UK, M. 07855 383445

Notes to Editors

1.         Copies of the new report will be available as a pdf. Spokespeople are available for interview. Please contact the numbers above.  The report can be downloaded at the foot of this page or you can read a summary online more...

2.         The new report covers national statistics on working carers, their sector of employment, ethnicity and geographical distribution.

3.         Carers UK makes a difference to carers' lives by:

campaigning for a better deal for carers; informing carers of their rights and what help is available; training and advising professionals who work with carers; working across the UK through its membership and networks of branches and affiliates. 

There are six million carers throughout the UK. Their support is worth £57 billion a year, equivalent to a second NHS.

Visit www.carersuk.org or call the CarersLine on: 0808 808 7777

4.         This work is part of the Action for Carers and Employment (ACE) National, a development partnership led by Carers UK and funded by the European Social Fund’s Equal Community Initiative Programme which raises awareness of the barriers facing carers who wish to work, and tests and promotes ways of supporting them. Visit www.acecarers.org.uk