A new report published by the IPPR (Institute for Public Policy Research) highlights a rise in the number of people caring for 35 hours or more per week. Analysis for the report, conducted by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, finds a significant increase. The number of people providing 35 hours or more a week of care has increased from 1.1 million in 2003/04 to 1.9 million in 2023/24 - an increase of over 70 per cent.
Click here to read the full report.
Emily Holzhausen CBE, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at Carers UK, said:
“Worryingly, we are seeing a growing number of people providing substantial care for disabled and older relatives from other data sets as well. In England and Wales, Census 2021 data shows a rise in the number of people providing 20-49 hours of care of 260,000 people (1.9% in 2021 compared with 1.5% in 2011) a slight rise in the proportion of people providing 50 or more hours of 152,000 people (2.8% in 2021 compared with 2.7% in 2011) and a deepening of the amount of care provided over time.
“This is significant because of the devastating impact that substantial unpaid care of over 20 hours per week can have on carers’ health, wellbeing and ability to juggle work and care. A growing number of carers are struggling with their own health due to the enormous pressures they are under.
“This is clearly a result of the shortage of adequate and properly funded social care and health services to support unpaid carers and the people they care for, in addition to an ageing population. Carers UK research shows that nearly two thirds of carers say they have no choice in providing care because there are no other care alternatives available. Without the support provided by unpaid carers our health and social care systems would quite simply collapse.
“We want the Government to commit to a funded, cross-government 10-year National Carers Strategy, delivering tangible progress and additional support for carers, their families, and those they care for – including robust investment in social care.”