Carers in Crisis

The nation’s carers are living under extreme financial pressure and many are cutting back on essentials to make ends meet. Like other families
they are feeling the pinch as living costs rise and the economic crisis spreads across the economy.

However unlike other people, carers have always found things difficult. Due to their caring responsibilities they have less opportunity to earn and many are forced to live on benefits. Yet carers also face higher costs associated with caring, such as higher heating, water and transport costs. At the same time many do not get any support from social services. Most families do not receive publicly funded care, so are forced to arrange their own care which can be expensive and poor quality.

This new survey reveals that in 2008 carers are in crisis. Despite providing essential unpaid support for their elderly, sick or disabled relatives, making a contribution worth £87 billion a year, they are not properly recognised or rewarded.

Key findings:

Our survey of over 1,700 carers shows:

• 86% say their financial position is worse than 12 months ago.
• 74% are struggling to pay essential utility bills.65% are living in fuel poverty (spending more than 10% of their income on fuel).
• 52% are cutting back on food to make ends meet.
• 66% are spending their own income or savings to pay for care.
• 32% of those carers paying rent or a mortgage say they cannot afford to pay it.
• 24% are cutting back on essential car journeys e.g. to go food shopping, visit the doctor.
• 54% are in debt – nearly a third of these owe more than £10,000 and many are resorting to bank verdrafts and credit cards.

Main recommendations:

• The UK Government should publish a plan and timetable for ensuring that its 2018 vision that no carer falls into financial hardship because of their caring role, as promised in the National Carers Strategy, becomes a reality.
• The UK Government must urgently review and overhaul Carer’s Allowance and other benefits for carers.