Valuing Carers - Calculating the value of unpaid care

Summary

Valuing Carers – calculating the value of unpaid care  was researched and written by Leeds University in 2007 and shows that carers now save the state £87 billion a year. This is a rise of 52% across the UK, an increase of £30 billion on the last figure of £57 billion which Carers UK published in 2002. The value of care is greater than the annual budget for the NHS (£82 billion in 2006/7).

Why have the figures gone up?

a) the number of carers providing heavy end care has increased.
b) local authorities have been cutting back on care so families are providing more.
c) wage inflation – although this does not explain the whole increase.

Recommendations

1. Robust economic costing to determine the risk to the economy if insufficient care is provided in the future.
2. Significant investment in social care, including stimulation of the care market.
3. New legislation to make it illegal to discriminate against carers - in the same way that it is for disabled people.
4. A full scale review of carers’ benefits; and the exploration of tax breaks and tax credits to help carers avoid poverty and remain in employment.
5. Sound policies which look at maximising independence and choice for the people being cared for and carers.
6. Clarity about the “social contract” for carers – what the state, employers, and others will provide and what individuals have to contribute.
7. New legislation that treats carers as partners in care.