Carers UK and Centre for Care at the University of Sheffield have published a new report on the economic value of the support provided by unpaid carers. This new research shows that:

• The economic value of the contributions made by carers in England and Wales was £162 billion a year, 29% more in real terms than 2011.
• The economic value of the contributions made by unpaid carers in England and Wales is roughly equivalent to the budget for NHS health service spending.
• The rise in the number of hours of care provided by unpaid carers has led to an increase in the economic cost of care.