A new report from Carers NI is calling for urgent action to tackle poverty experienced by over 1 in 4 unpaid carers in Northern Ireland. Many face severe financial hardship, isolation and deteriorating health because of poverty, something that is likely to get worse if the UK Government progresses with its planned Welfare Reforms being debated this week.
Launched today, the Carer Poverty Commission NI’s final report sums up over two years of evidence and research which outlines the key causes of poverty in unpaid carers including, high caring costs, lack of workplace support, and an inadequate social security system. The report concludes with a series of recommendations to reverse this social injustice.
The Commission’s recommendations include:
- Increasing Carer’s Allowance to £120/week and introducing a Carer’s Essentials Payment.
- Paid statutory carer’s leave and workplace flexibility.
- A new strategy for carers and better access to social care.
Richard Meade, Director of Carers NI, said:
"Unpaid carers are the backbone of our health and social care system but too many are being pushed into poverty simply because of their caring role. This is completely unjust considering that Northen Ireland’s carers contribute the equivalent of £5.8bn in health and social care every year.
“It is worrying that this report is being published at time when UK Government welfare reforms threaten to push carers further into poverty with the Executive likely to face budget cuts to social security here as a result.
“This report shows we have the tools to fix poverty for carers, and to reform social security so that it reduces poverty, not increases it. We urge Ministers in the UK and in Northern Ireland to act now and implement the Commission’s recommendations."
The full report is available to read here.
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Notes to Editors
About the Carer Poverty Commission Northern Ireland
The Carer Poverty Commission Northern Ireland was established in 2023 by Carers NI to examine the scale and causes of poverty amongst unpaid carers in Northern Ireland. Over a two-year period, the Commission carried out extensive research, bringing together a diverse group of experts including carers, academics, economists, and representatives from the voluntary sector.
The Commission’s work included:
- Analysing poverty rates and their drivers among carers.
- Examining the impact of caring on employment, health and wellbeing.
- Engaging directly with carers across Northern Ireland to capture lived experiences.
- Modelling the impact of policy interventions on poverty reduction and economic participation.
- Its final report makes comprehensive recommendations to the Northern Ireland Executive, including reforms to social security, employment rights, and support services.
- The Commission was funded through the Carers Support Fund by the Community Foundation NI with support from the Department of Health.
About Carers NI
Carers NI is the membership charity for unpaid carers in Northern Ireland and part of Carers UK. It supports and advocates for the estimated 220,000 unpaid carers in NI who provide care for ill, disabled, or older family members and friends.
Carers NI:
- Provides expert advice, information, and support to carers.
- Campaigns for better recognition and support of unpaid carers.
- Works with policymakers to influence legislation and services that affect carers’ lives.
- Publishes leading research on the experiences and needs of carers.
For more information about Carers NI and the Carer Poverty Commission, visit:
www.carersuk.org/ni/news-and-campaigns/carer-poverty-commission/
Media Contact:
- Christine Robertson, Media and Communications Officer, robertson@carerscotland.org
Tel: 07864814804
- Richard Meade, Director of Carers NI, is available for virtual and telephone interviews.