Press releases

New research shows over 250,000 people in NI have suffered negative impacts on their health due to providing unpaid care.

Polling of the general public by the charities supporting Carers Week found that roughly 1.5 million people in Scotland have…

A Bill that gives employees across Great Britain the right to take unpaid leave from work to care for older,…

The Carer’s Leave Bill has today successfully passed its third reading in the House of Lords, meaning it is now…

New findings from Carers UK and the University of Sheffield show that unpaid carers in England and Wales contribute a…

Carers NI responds to the 2023-24 Stormont budget announced by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

The Office for National Statistics has released 2021 Census data that filters unpaid carers by ethnicity, religion, disability, marital status,…

Carers UK has joined up with the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) and 90 other charities to call on party leaders…

The Carer’s Leave Bill, a Private Member’s Bill brought forward by Wendy Chamberlain MP, has successfully passed Committee Stage in…

MLAs from the largest parties in Stormont make joint call for a new Carers Strategy for Northern Ireland.

Today the Department for Health and Social Care has published its implementation paper Next Steps to Put People at the…

Today Carers UK launches Carers Active April 2023, a campaign taking place throughout April to encourage unpaid carers supporting loved…

Carers UK responds to 2021 Census data on unpaid care and employment in England and Wales.

Today, the Family Resources Survey was published with new insights and data on unpaid care, helping us to better understand…

Carers UK is releasing research which uncovers a lack of confidence in how to address malnutrition and under-nutrition amongst unpaid…

Today’s Spring Budget was unveiled by The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rt. Hon. Jeremy Hunt MP. Carers UK is disappointed…

On behalf of the Carer Poverty Coalition, Emily Holzhausen OBE, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at Carers UK, said:

Responding to the results of the 2022 NHS Staff Survey, Helen Walker Chief Executive of Carers UK said

Having successfully passed through the House of Commons the Carer’s Leave Bill has today passed its Second Reading in the…

The King’s Fund Social Care 360 report, published today, provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of social care…

Prominent employers and experts in work and unpaid care met Lord Fox and members of the House of Lords today…

Carers UK has released a new best practice guide to encourage organisations how best to support unpaid carers who are…

A dedicated coalition of 93 organisations has come together in an effort to lessen the financial hardship experienced by millions…

The Office for National Statistics has published further 2021 census data about the age, gender and deprivation of unpaid carers.

Carers UK has released a new best practice guide today, to encourage organisations how best to support unpaid carers from…

The Carer’s Leave Bill, which could see more than two million working carers get crucial access to one week of…

Public statement from the Assembly All Party Group on Carers in Northern Ireland.

MPs from many different parties are backing a Private Member’s Bill on Carer’s Leave, which would see millions of unpaid…

A new report, released by the Archbishops’ Commission on Reimagining Care, calls for a National Care Covenant with three actions…

Today the Office for National Statistics has published Census 2021 data about unpaid carers which showed growing intensity of care…

New Carer Poverty Commissioned launched to explore the drivers and policy solutions to poverty among unpaid carers in Northern Ireland.

This week marked the 500^th online meetup delivered by the national charity Carers UK for people caring unpaid for an…

The Government has announced £250m funding for local areas to buy thousands of extra beds in care homes and other…

Recent research found that unpaid carers find physical activity harder compared to other adults and face poorer health outcomes as…

A carer champion is an employee who acts as a key contact to support and help carers access information within…

A report published today by the House of Lords Adult Social Care Committee, which was appointed to deliberate the planning…

The Government has confirmed plans for new legislation that will give employees the right to ask for flexible working from…

Press release on the concerns of unpaid carers in Wales as part of the State of Caring in Wales launch…

• Millions of people beginning or ending a caring role each year
• Carers UK calls for step change in the…

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rt. Hon. Jeremy Hunt MP, today unveiled the Government’s Autumn Budget.

Carers UK welcomes the…

The national charity Carers UK, together with 65 other organisations including Age UK and MS Society, is urging the Government…

The Carer’s Leave Bill, which aims to support millions of unpaid carers in employment, was discussed in the House of…

• A third of carers have been waiting more than a year for NHS assessment or treatment, with two thirds…

Carers UK responds to Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Bill passing Second Reading

On Friday 28^th October the Employment Relations (Flexible…

Carers UK urges new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to ensure unpaid carers get the financial support they desperately need

Rishi…

Commenting on the Care Quality Commission’s 2022 State of Care report, Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said;

“The Care…

• Carers UK urges new Prime Minister not to push people providing round-the-clock care further into poverty
• Cutting back on…

The Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has today made an emergency financial statement, reversing almost all tax cuts announced by previous Chancellor…

Responding to today’s announcement that Rt. Hon. Jeremy Hunt MP will be the new Chancellor of the Exchequer, Emily Holzhausen…

Charity Skills for Care has released new findings showing there are 165,000 vacant posts in adult social care - an…

A new date for the Second Reading for the Carer’s Leave Bill has been agreed in Parliament, with Friday 21…

• Lesbian, gay, and bisexual carers were more likely to feel lonely and worried about their finances than their heterosexual…

The new Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rt Hon Kwasi Kwarteng MP, today set out financial measures for the coming months…

The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and Deputy Prime Minister, Rt Hon Therese Coffey MP, today set…

• 72 organisations call for targeted top up for unpaid carers receiving Carer’s Allowance
• 84% of public agree that the…

Liz Truss has today (5th September 2022) been declared the new leader of the Conservative Party and Prime Minister.

Wendy Chamberlain MP led a special event last Friday where prominent employers including Centrica, TSB and Phoenix Group met to…

A new Private Members' Bill which could see millions of unpaid carers – those looking after older, disabled or seriously ill…

Carers UK warns of tightening financial squeeze facing unpaid carers ahead of expected increase to energy price cap

On Friday 26^th August…

Responding to the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (LUHC) Select Committee report published today, 04.08.22, which states that adult social…

Unpaid carers from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds suffered even greater pressures including further economic hardship from the nations’…

Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said:

 “The ongoing chronic shortage of social care services and care staff mean…

Responding to the ADASS (Association of Directors of Social services) 2022 Spring survey, Emily Holzhausen, Director of Policy and Public…

Carers UK warmly welcomed the news that unpaid carers will now be included in the autumn vaccine booster programme for…

Unpaid carers gain new rights as Health and Care Act 2022 introduced

• Carers UK highlights new rights for carers on…

Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK said:

“This latest evidence of the acute pressures on older unpaid carers reflects…

Carers UK today welcomed the Government’s investment plans in more digital means of support but warned that it still needed…

Today, the terms of reference for the UK Covid-19 Inquiry have been set out by the Prime Minister, meaning it…

Carers UK comment on the Personal Social Services Survey of adult carers in England report (SACE, 2021-22):

The national…

• Millions of working carers could benefit from the new rights
• Welcomed by Carers UK and Employers for Carers

• 4.68 million unpaid carers concerned for physical and mental health 
• 2:2 million carers worried about ability to cope financially
…

The Chancellor’s statement today (26.5.2022) set out a package of support to help with the cost living. This includes several…

Commenting on the new interim advice from the JCVI, Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK said:

“Yet again we…

 “We are deeply worried by these latest findings. Unpaid carers are at breaking point, exhausted after more than two years…

“That the promised Employment Bill has been excluded from the Government’s commitments for the next year is a severe blow…

Responding to recent press speculation that an Employment Bill would not be forthcoming in the Queen’s Speech, Carers UK has…

As the Health and Care Bill receives Royal Assent and passes into law, Carers UK has welcomed the new rights…

In the first national event of its kind, hundreds of unpaid carers from around the UK will join Carers UK’s…

Over 930,000 unpaid carers will see a real terms cut in benefits - Carers UK response to benefits upratings¹

On…

Carers UK today welcomed an amendment to the Health and Care Bill which was passed in the Commons having been…

Commenting on the Government’s next steps for living with COVID-19, including eligibility for access to free COVID testing, as set…

A brand new campaign from Carers UK to help unpaid carers become more physically active in engaging and accessible ways…

On 23 March 2022, the Chancellor, Rt. Hon. Rishi Sunak MP delivered his Spring Statement to Parliament. You can see…

“I am anxious & scared of what our living costs will be in the coming months. I’m unable to sleep…

Carers UK strongly welcomed the fact that Peers have today successfully won an amendment against the Government’s attempt to revoke…

Carers UK calls on Peers to support a cross party amendment, in the Health and Care Bill, to safeguard unpaid…

The impact of caring on peoples’ physical and mental health across England remains high and is worse for those from…

‘Caring for Derek’ an hour-long film and follow-up to last year’s ‘Finding Derek’ was aired on ITV on 22 February.…

On 21st February, the Government published its ‘Living with COVID-19’ plan.

Responding to the plan, Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers…

The Chancellor, Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP, today set out the Government’s response to the cost of living crisis…

As energy prices soar and millions of households across the UK face increased fuel and household bills, unpaid carers are…

Commenting on the findings of the ADASS ‘Winter Contingencies Survey,’ Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK said:

On the anniversary of the publication of Joint Committee of Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advice on priority groups (30 December…

The Government has today taken steps to ensure that unpaid carers can use a specific letter to identify themselves to…

Carers UK and Centrica are delighted to have won the prestigious award for 2021, in recognition of the significant achievements…

Carers UK is delighted to have been chosen by Bank of England employees as one of their charities of the…

Responding to the Government’s publication of its white paper on social care reform, Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK…

The Government has announced the amount benefit rates will increase from 11 April 2022. 

This includes the new earnings limit…

Responding to the ADASS findings published today: ‘Snap Survey reveals a rapidly deteriorating picture of Social Care Services,’ Helen Walker,…

• 72% of unpaid carers worry about juggling work and care
• 53% of working carers say returning to workplace will…

• 63% said flexible working and flexible leave more embedded
• 62% offering additional leave arrangements (up from 42% year previously)
…

Today, at Carers UK’s State of Caring conference, plans to provide new digital resources to support unpaid carers were announced…

• One in five unpaid carers are worried they may not cope financially over the next 12 months
• One in…

Responding to the Comprehensive Spending Review today, Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said:

• Over half of unpaid carers (55%) who use day services have reduced or no access because of COVID-19
• Only…

Plans for boosters for unpaid carers published yesterday

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has today issued its advice on those eligible for the Covid-19 booster…

The Department of Health and Social Care has announced the launch of a new Office for Health Improvement and Disparities…

The Government today set out its proposals for funding the adult social care system.

• Research by Carers UK shows more than half of family carers (56%) were left out of planning for their…

Carers UK and Carers Trust are pleased to be continuing their roles as members of the Health and Wellbeing Alliance,…

The national charity Carers UK and not-for-profit campaign Smart Energy GB are excited to be working together to raise awareness…

Today (Wednesday 14^th July) the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) published the results of their Spring Survey.

Today the Government introduced the Health and Care Bill; proposals to legislation that they state aim to make the healthcare…

Carers UK responds to COVID-19 booster jab prioritisation

NHSX has today published a draft data strategy: ‘Data saves lives: reshaping health and social care with data’ which, following…

The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) today released their 2021 Activity Survey report.

New data issued by the ONS today (Friday 11^th June 2021) during Carers Week shows that carers have been more…

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has announced the five projects that will share £23 million in funding from it's healthy…

• More than a third (35%) of people caring unpaid for family members or friends feel unable to manage their…

• Charity Carers UK launches blueprint to help companies and services support millions of customers with caring responsibilities
• Suite of…

The UK charity supporting people caring unpaid for older, disabled and seriously ill relatives and friends has set out an…

New research shows unpaid carers over 55 find it harder to

400,000 NHS England staff also have an unpaid caring role

• 400,000 NHS England staff also have an unpaid caring role for a relative or friend
• Carers UK calls on…

In response to the national vaccine supply profile over April, NHS England has made changes to the National Booking System…

Today Public Health England published a new report ‘Caring as a social determinant of health: Findings from a rapid review…

The Department for Health and Social Care has announced further funding for social care during the pandemic. This announcement included…

On Tuesday 16^th March 2021 Health and Social Care Secretary of State, Matt Hancock MP, answered questions about the Government’s…

Unpaid carers who are not known to health and care services and therefore have not been called forward for the…

Today NHS England has published its Standard Operating Procedure for deploying the COVID-19 vaccine to unpaid carers in England.

Unpaid…

The Chancellor failed to mention social care in the Budget 2021 statement.  

• Virgin Media and Carers UK are beginning a five year strategic partnership which will use technology and innovation to…

Carers UK was sad to learn that former Labour MP, historian and Vice President of Carers UK Dr Hywel Francis…

As of tomorrow (Monday 15^th February), unpaid carers will be included in the next phase of the roll-out of the…

The Government has today published its legislative proposals for a new Health and Care Bill that aims to improve the…

• Carer’s Allowance due to increase by paltry 35p a week
• Carers UK delivers a letter from 5,000 carers calling…

On 11^th January 2021 the Government set out how it plans to deploy its supply of COVID-19 vaccines in its…

On Monday 4^th January 2021 the Prime Minister announced that there would be a third national lockdown in England starting…

Carers UK has welcomed the inclusion of unpaid carers in the publication of new COVID vaccination advice from the…

On 20th December new restrictions came into force across England, with regions split into four tiers.

81% want Government to show it values their contribution this year

Carers UK is delighted to be working alongside Carers Trust which is leading a dedicated programme to support hidden and…

In its advice published today, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has not included unpaid carers - people caring…

On 2^nd December new restrictions will come into force across England, with regions split into three tiers.

As in the…

Carers UK is renewing its calls for the UK Government to prioritise unpaid carers for the COVID-19 vaccine, after the…

• Care provided by families valued at £135 billion over course of the pandemic so far
• Carers UK calls on…

In the Chancellor's one year Spending Review today, he promised the following for adult social care:

• Local authorities will be…

In a survey of more than 100 councils by the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS), many are…

• Research by the charity finds 45% of unpaid carers identified by their GP were not directed towards having a…

The Department for Work and Pensions has announced that it would continue to extend easements for Carer’s Allowance.

This means Carer’s…

Carers UK is delighted to announce that it has been chosen by the Telegraph as one of the charities it…

The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services has today recommended that the Government provide £480 million to ensure that…

Carers UK calls on employers to actively support carers ahead of November lockdown in England

Carers UK and 74 other organisations representing unpaid carers, disabled adults and children, and older people, have joined together to…

On Saturday 31^st October the Prime Minister announced that there would be a second national lockdown in England starting on…

On 31st October, the Government announced it will be introducing new national lockdown restrictions to help reduce the spread of…

The Health and Social Care Committee has released a report, Social Care: Funding and Workforce, which calls for an immediate…

• Four in five unpaid carers providing more care for relatives
• 78% reported that the needs of the person they…

In its annual assessment of the state of health and social care in England, the Care Quality Commission looked at…

Today (Monday 12^th October 2020) the Prime Minister announced a three tier system (medium, high and very high risk) of…

In new guidance the Government has clarified how the Infection Control Fund can be used flexibly through the winter to…

British lifestyle brand FatFace has launched a range of face coverings in a bid to support unpaid carers and raise…

The Government has announced that as of today, Tuesday 22^nd September, unpaid carers will be exempt from interhousehold mixing restrictions…

The Government has published an adult social care winter plan, which aims to curb the spread of coronavirus infections in…

The Alzheimer’s Society has published a report on the provision of respite care and carer’s assessments for people affected by…

• Continual failure to tackle social care reform now impacting wider workforce in England
• 7 million people juggling work and…

New evidence shows carers couldn’t access medical treatment or care services they needed during Covid-19 lockdown. Two months on services…

From Saturday 1st August the Government will no longer be advising those on its Shielded Patient List to shield.

Peopl…

Carers UK has published a Recovery Plan for carers, a list of recommendations that prioritise and support unpaid carers as…

The Government has announced that it is expanding its flu jab programme this winter, to ready the NHS for the…

The Office for National Statistics has released new data on the impact of Covid-19 on caring. The findings show:

• Almost…

In a Statement made in Parliament today, the Chancellor laid out the Government’s financial commitments as Covid-19 restrictions are eased.…

Carers UK and 91 organisations representing unpaid carers, older people, disabled adults and children have joined together to call on…

Carers UK is delighted to announce that Nick Baird CMG CVO has been appointed chair elect of the national charity…

The CIPD and University of Sheffield have released research today showing that a quarter of workers with caring responsibilites for someone who is…

The Government has announced that, from Monday 6^th July, the 2.2 million people shielding from coronavirus can gather in groups…

Responding to the ADASS 2020 budget survey report out today, Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said, “We are…

• More than 100,000 people caring unpaid for older or disabled relatives using food banks to get by
• Almost 229,000…

The Association of Directors of Adults Social Services (ADASS) has today published a survey on the response in adult social…

Sir Ed Davey MP will today introduce a Bill in the House of Commons to give unpaid carers more rights…

The Scottish Government has today announced that it is proposing an additional £19.2 million investment in the Carer's Allowance Supplement.

As of 4^th May 2020, the Government has included unpaid carers in its latest list of essential workers and those…

Last night (Tuesday 28^th April) the Government announced that everyone in England aged 65 and over with coronavirus symptoms can…

• Reduced or closed care services mean family members are picking up even more care for older, sick or disabled…

The Government has this evening (Wednesday 15^th April) published a plan for adult social care in response to Covid-19.

The…

The Government has today (Wednesday 15^th April) committed to offering Covid-19 testing for everyone who needs one in social care…

On 4th April 2020 the Government issued guidance on furloughing workers via the Job Retention Scheme, which sees UK workers…

The Government last night (Tuesday 31st March) published guidance for local authorities on how they should use the new Care…

To help unpaid carers during the Coronavirus outbreak, the Government has introduced a new aspect to the eligibility criteria for…

The Government has introduced an emergency draft Bill to help the NHS and local authorities better tackle the Coronavirus.

Through…

After promises by the new Government to deliver a solution for the social care crisis, the Chancellor Rishi Sunak did…

• Charity Carers UK launches free tool to help validate the skills gained through caring
• Learning for Living supports carers…

Today the Joseph Rowntree Foundation has published its latest report on poverty, which shows as many as a quarter of…

The Local Government Information Unit has today published its 2020 State of Local Government Finance report. It shows near universal…

In an interview on BBC Breakfast this morning (Tuesday 14th January 2020) the Prime Minister Boris Johnson committed to bringing…

The Queen has today (Thursday 19^th December) set out the Government's agenda in the State Opening of Parliament. In the…

Age UK has today released new research which shows 1 in 3 people over 80 are unpaid carers for sick…

Commenting on the priorities for the new Government, Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said:

• Figures released for Carers Rights Day show two thirds of UK adults can expect to care unpaid for a…

The Work and Pensions Committee has today published the government’s response to its report on overpayments of Carer’s Allowance, the…

Carers UK has published a manifesto for carers calling on all political parties to commit to improving the lives of…

The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has today laid a Written Ministerial Statement in the House of Commons…

NHS Digital has today released 2018-19 data on Adult Social Care Spending in England, which includes support for those caring…

In today's Queen's Speech (14th October 2019) the government committed to bring forward proposals to "to reform adult social care…

New research launched today by Aviva suggests an estimated 2.6 million people in the UK aged 45 and above expect…

• Freedom of Information request reveals unpaid carers seeking replacement care for loved ones subjected to a postcode lottery
• Hundreds…

Ahead of the Government’s one-year spending review tomorrow, Wednesday 4th September, Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK last week…

The National Institute for Health and Social Care Excellence (NICE) has today published draft guidelines for local authorities and health…

The Work and Pensions Committee has today released a critical report on the Department for Work and Pensions' handling of…

The Department for Health and Social Care has today (Tuesday 23^rd July 2019) published its one year progress review of…

The Prime Minister has today (19^th July 2019) launched a consultation on parental leave entitlements called Good Work Plan: Proposals…

Carers UK calls on leadership candidates to put UK’s families first and commit to funding adult social care

New research…

The Government Equalities Office has today (3rd July 2019) released a roadmap for gender equality in the UK. In it,…

Carers UK responds to latest budget survey from the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services.

The Association of Directors…

New data has been released today by NHS Digital on unpaid carers in England and the impact of caring on…

‘Living longer and old-age dependency – what does the future hold?’ the new data release from the ONS suggests that…

• 54% of carers report reduced levels of sport and physical activity because of caring.

The Department of Health and Social Care has today (Wednesday 12th June 2019) launched its £5 million Carers Innovation Fund…

Carers UK is working with Centrica in a bid to help one million carers stay in or return to work b…

New research by the leading carers’ charity Carers UK estimates nearly a quarter of a million NHS workers (247,000) in…

The National Audit Office has today (Friday 26th April 2019) released a report on its investigation into overpayments of Carer's…

In his Spring Statement today (Wednesday 13th March 2019) the Chancellor did not make any commitments to the funding of soc…

More than 600 people quit work to look after older and disabled relatives every day

1 in 7 of the…

New figures from the Office for National Statistics on sandwich carers – those who care for both sick, disabled or older…

Carers UK delivers a letter from 8,200 carers calling on Amber Rudd to increase Carer’s Allowance in the rest of…

Today, NHS England published its Long Term Plan, setting out the NHS’s goals and ambitions for the next decade.

The UK charity supporting people caring unpaid for older, disabled and seriously ill relatives and friends has set out an…

Responding to the Queen's Speech on 11th May 2021, Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said: