Press releases

The CQC’s annual assessment of the state of health and social care in England looks at the quality of care over the past year.

Carers UK welcomes Government commitment to publish the independent review into overpayments of Carer’s Allowance and its response before the end of this year

Unpaid carers, whose finances, health and ability to work are already impacted by their caring responsibilities, say the pressure of caring is unrelenting – with over half (52%) experiencing a rise in the number of hours they spend caring each week in the last year. 

A celebratory gala, held by Carers UK and supported by Phoenix, honoured the remarkable contributions of individuals and organisations across the nation who make life better for unpaid carers.  

The 10 Year Workforce Plan will support the 10 Year Health Plan, published in July this year. Its aim is to ensure that the NHS has the right people, in the right roles, with the right skills.

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.

Helen Walker, Chief Executive at Carers UK, said:  “This is very good news to hear that the Government is discussing financial redress. The Carer’s Allowance overpayments scandal has had far-reaching consequences for thousands of carers and their families who, for many years, have been the victims of an overly complicated, flawed and unfair system. 

Emily Holzhausen CBE, Director of Policy and Public Affairs responds to this recent survey.

Carers UK has launched the theme for this year’s Carers Rights Day on Thursday 20 November 2025 which is ‘Know your rights, use your rights’.  

An increasing number of unpaid carers looking after family members or friends who are older, disabled or living with a chronic health condition say they are not receiving the support they need from the NHS.

New funding from Sport England will support the Carers Active Project, led by Carers UK, working to reduce barriers and increase opportunities for unpaid carers to be physically active.

We are pleased to see the Select Committee’s report stress the negative impact the proposals in the Pathways to Work Green Paper would have had on disabled people and unpaid carers.

The Universal Credit Bill has now completed all of its stages through Parliament.

This latest report reveals that most Directors of social services have seen an increase in unpaid carers approaching them for support this year due to burn-out and a lack of support from health services....

Peers discussed an amendment that was supported by Carers UK to turn the existing right to unpaid Carer's Leave into a new statutory entitlement to paid Carer's Leave.  

It was important to see further discussion around a review into the rules for future Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants, to be co-produced with disabled people and disabled groups.

Results of the GP Patient Survey 2025 released today show that the health of unpaid carers has worsened.

For a long time, we have said that the NHS needs to transform the way it interacts with unpaid carers. Over half (51%) of carers say they need more support from NHS or healthcare professionals. We are encouraged to see reassurance from the Government in their NHS 10-year plan today that carers will be actively involved in care planning.

During today's debate on the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill, the Minister for Social Security and Welfare, Sir Stephen Timms MP, announced a significant change to the Bill which would take place at Committee stage.

Politicians are being asked to show their support for unpaid carers ahead of the second reading of the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill.  

It’s important that the Government has listened and made amendments, but should these proposals go ahead, this will be potentially devastating for future carers and risks the creation of a two-tier system.  

The Government will make changes to the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill ahead of its second reading on Tuesday 1st July. 

The telecommunications company recently joined Carers UK to mark the achievements of carer-inclusive workplaces at its iconic BT Tower. 

Carers UK is deeply concerned to see the Government pressing ahead with welfare reform plans which will see 150,000 people lose their entitlement to carers’ benefits by 2029/30 - a reduction in financial support for carers worth £500 million.

This year’s spending review comes in the middle of Carers Week, a national campaign led by Carers UK highlighting the many inequalities carers face and the investment and support they desperately need.

44% of carers in employment have had a mental or physical health condition develop or become worse since taking on caring responsibilities

43% of current or former carers have had a mental or physical health condition develop or become worse since taking on caring responsibilities

We're really pleased to see that the Chancellor will be restoring the Winter Fuel Payment to 9 million pensioners whose incomes are £35,000 or below

The dashboard will allow viewers to analyse ONS Census data about unpaid carers at a local authority level. It has the potential to inform local and national policy, as well as service commissioning for unpaid carers.

Last week, Government published its new Fraud and Error statistics which contain new figures on Carer’s Allowance. Analysing this work, Carers UK has estimated that at least £357 million of Carer's Allowance has been overpaid in relation to earnings by the Department for Work and Pensions since 2019

Employers for Carers (EfC), an innovative scheme set up by Carers UK to champion and promote effective workplace support for staff with caring responsibilities, has reached a landmark 250 members.  

As the Employment Rights Bill progresses through Committee Stage in the House of Lords, Carers UK is calling for Government to introduce measures within the Bill which would go further in supporting the 2.3 million employees balancing paid work with unpaid caring responsibilities. 

A new report titled 'Adult Social Care Reform: the cost of inaction' is due to be published by Parliament's cross-party Health and Social Care Committee on Monday 5 May 2025.

The Government has published the terms of reference for Baroness Casey of Blackstock's independent commission into adult social care. 

65,000 carers are likely to be eligible for Pension Credit, but are not receiving it

Carers UK is encouraging community groups, organisations and employers to enter its exciting new awards programme to recognise and celebrate unpaid carers in what promises to be a glittering highlight of the charity’s 60th anniversary year.   

Carers UK responds to Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) announcement that it will aim to tackle all Carer's Allowance overpayments alerts

Carers UK is delighted to have achieved the UK-wide quality mark for organisations involving volunteers during the charity’s 60th anniversary year.

Carers Scotland press release on the increase in earnings threshold for Carer Support Payment in 2025.

After a significant shift in legal rights for working carers last year, charity Carers UK wants to see more employers raising awareness of the Carer’s Leave Act in the workplace.

The earnings limit on Carer’s Allowance, the main carers’ benefit, will go up from £151 per week to £196 per week in April

“Today’s spring statement confirms that the Government’s welfare reform plans will include the first substantial cuts to Carer’s Allowance in decades, realising many carers’ worst fears. This is an unprecedented step in the wrong direction and must be swiftly rectified.

The number of carers facing overpayment debts continues to rise.

“We are very concerned that the plans the Government has published today could hit unpaid carers, disabled people and their families very hard, if implemented in full. 

Press release for ‘State of Caring in Scotland 2024: Health and social care support for unpaid carers’.

Carers are invisible and ignored in the NI Executive’s Programme for Government say Carers NI. 

Press release for State of Caring in Scotland 2024Paid work and access to employment for unpaid carers

National charities join to announce the focus for this year’s Carers Week, raising awareness of those looking after a family member, friend or neighbour.

An increasing number of people looking after a disabled, older or ill relative are experiencing poor mental health because they cannot take a break from caring.  

Press Release for our new report - Minimum Income Guarantee for unpaid carers: developing a pilot programme.

A new survey from Carers NI exploring the financial impacts of being an unpaid carer has laid bare the terrible poverty, stress and strain they are experiencing across Northern Ireland.

The role that Northern Ireland’s carers play in propping up a struggling health service and their hopes for a brighter future, will be marked today at a special event at Stormont.

Over 160 employers responded to a survey from Employers for Carers (EfC) who found that 44% of these workplaces offer between one to 10 days of paid Carer’s Leave, offering more than the legal right to five days of unpaid leave to provide or arrange care for a disabled, older or ill relative or friend. 

Unpaid carers from across the country sought to address their concerns and questions on caring directly to national and local Government officials at the Carers Parliament, held on Wednesday 27 November.

he labour that unpaid carers in Scotland provide in their role saves the economy £15.9 billion each year. This figure comes from a new report, “Valuing Carers: 2022, Scotland”.

Carers NI is urging the NI Executive to make carers a clear priority within the forthcoming Programme for Government.

Chancellor about to announce increase to earnings limit on Carer's Allowance in Budget

Carers UK is welcoming new rights being set out in the Employment Rights Bill today which will further support unpaid carers, such as positive changes to flexible working. The charity is also calling on the Government to use the Bill as an opportunity to build on workplace rights for carers and lay the foundations for paid Carer’s Leave.

On European Carers Day (Sunday 6th October 2024) , Carers UK, in collaboration with Eurocarers, proudly celebrates the vital role of unpaid carers who provide essential care to loved ones, often at great personal sacrifice.

Pensioners providing unpaid care for a family member or friend could be missing out on vital financial support and access to Winter Fuel Payments due to complex rules around Pension Credit.

Emily, who joined Carers UK in 1996, leads on the charity’s strategic development and directs the policy, research, campaigning, parliamentary and media work.  

Poverty levels amongst those looking after a friend or family member who is older disabled or seriously ill are shockingly high, with millions of unpaid carers struggling to make ends meet.   New research shows that unpaid carers are much more likely to experience financial hardship, and that the rate of poverty is 50% higher for those looking after a friend or family member compared to those who do not provide unpaid care.

Press Release for Poverty and financial hardship of unpaid carers in Scotland report 2024.

Not even half (41%) of UK adults can recognise an unpaid carer  Over half (55%) of unpaid carers looking after a family member or friend take a year or more to realise they are caring   Over a third (38%) take over three years or more to recognise their caring role  New ‘This Counts As Care’ campaign aims to reduce by half, the time it takes for people to identify themselves as an unpaid carer and access support 

New report from Carers UK finds that introducing paid Carer’s Leave could boost productivity, whilst improving millions of workers’ lives

Carers UK hand-in letter signed by over 10,000 people to 10 Downing Street, calling for a step-change in support for unpaid carers from the new Government and the development of a new and ambitious National Carers Strategy.

Charity Carers UK is calling on the Government to review the Equality Act 2010 and introduce caring as a protected characteristic following new research which shows that many people providing unpaid care say they have experienced discrimination because of their caring role.  

New figures from Carers UK show the financial pressure that older carers are under and the potential challenges that they will face if the Winter Fuel Payment is removed from everyone apart from those in receipt of Pension Credit.    

Carers UK report is a dossier showing widespread evidence of the shocking impact Carer’s Allowance overpayments are having on carers’ lives and their ability to do paid work.  

Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said: “There are 4.3 million working age unpaid carers in the UK and a shocking 600 people leave work a day to care for an ill, disabled or elderly relative or friend.* Unpaid carers often tell us they feel invisible and forgotten, and the value of the support they provide is worth  £162 billion a year to the economy - the equivalent of a second NHS. 

Responding to today’s speech by King Charles III, Emily Holzhausen CBE, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at Carers UK, said:   “We welcome the introduction of the Employment Rights Bill and provisions for workers. There are just under 2.5 million unpaid carers in the country today who are juggling work and caring for an ill, elderly or disabled relative. A shocking 600 unpaid carers leave employment every day and these provisions will go some way to help unpaid carers remain in work and strengthen the Government’s economic growth agenda.

A survey by the Adult Directors of Social Services, ADASS, reveals a rise in the numbers of people being discharged early from hospital, putting more pressure on unpaid carers.

“We are delighted that Sir Stephen Timms MP has been appointed as the DWP Minister for Social Security and Disabilities. Through his role as Chair of the Work and Pensions Select Committee he has developed a good understanding of the key issues relating to Carer’s Allowance and the devastating impact of overpayments on unpaid carers. We therefore very much look forward to working with him to make life better for carers. 

Employers for Carers (EfC), a membership forum set up to champion and promote effective workplace support for staff with caring responsibilities, turns 15 years old.

“We welcome the appointment of Stephen Kinnock MP as a Minister of State for Care in the Department of Health and Social Care and look forward to working with him to make life better for carers.

Carers NI welcomes the proposal within the Good Jobs Bill to give carers a legal right to access 5 days unpaid leave from work to fulfil their caring responsibilities.

A new report published by Carers Scotland and authored by the University of Strathclyde has highlighted the barriers faced by Scotland’s unpaid carers looking to enter the labour market.

Carers UK are incredibly proud to announce, and would like to congratulate Emily Holzhausen, Director of Policy and Public Affairs, who has been named in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2024.

Carers NI response to the Department for Communities' draft 2024-25 budget.

New polling reveals the scale of mental ill-health among NI's unpaid carers.

Findings mark the start of Carers Week which takes place from 10-16 June.Theme of this year’s Carers Week is, ‘Putting carers on the Map’.

Touching tribute to unpaid carers as Radio 2 presenter, Johnnie ‘The Pirate’ Walker and his wife Tiggy share deeply personal reflections of their twenty-year journey of unpaid caring at the start of Carers Week

New findings to mark the start of Carers Week which takes place from 10-16 June.

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Carers has published a new report calling for a new and ambitious National Carers Strategy to be developed by the next Government as a matter of priority, after the upcoming General Election on 4 July.Carers UK, who provide the secretariat for the group, have published the report on its behalf.

New data reveals 5,000 carers are being pursued for Carer's Allowance overpayments in NI.

This morning (22 May), the Work and Pensions Select Committee has published a response that the Chair of the Committee, Sir Stephen Timms MP, received on 17 May from the Controller and Auditor General of the National Audit Office (NAO) regarding Carer’s Allowance overpayments. Carers UK wrote to the NAO on 26 April to call for them to undertake a second investigation into Carer’s Allowance overpayments, following their initial investigation in 2019.   

Today, the Department for Work and Pensions has published its research on the Experiences of Claiming and receiving Carer’s Allowance, which was completed in 2021. The Work and Pensions Select Committee also published its letter to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Mel Stride MP, which included a number of recommendations for the Department on the back of two evidence sessions on Carer’s Allowance held on 6 March and 24 April 2024.   

Carers UK is reacting positively to the news that the Government is planning to text or email carers who are at risk of overpayments on Carer’s Allowance, but is warning that the DWP needed to invest in good advice, information and staffing to make sure that it worked well for unpaid carers.    However, the changes will not change some of the underlying problems with the policy in the first place which also urgently needs tackling.

Employers from a variety of sectors including finance, retail, healthcare and education gather in London on Tuesday 14 May to discuss how they can better support millions of unpaid carers in their workforces today and crucially in the future.

Open letter from trade union leaders, economists and community sector groups on paid carer's leave in Northern Ireland.

New research reveals significant economic benefits of introducing paid carer's leave in NI.

Responding to the Westminster debate on Carer’s Allowance, which took place on 22 April Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said: “We are pleased to see strong agreement and support for unpaid carers from across the political spectrum, during last night’s debate. MPs from a range of political parties rightly highlighted the huge financial challenges unpaid carers face and agreed with our call for a full review and positive reform of Carer’s Allowance – the lowest benefit of its kind – and the development of a new National Carers Strategy."

Today (Thursday 18 April, 2024) charity Carers UK has launched its manifesto setting out how the next Government could dramatically improve the lives of 5.7 million unpaid carers in the UK.

Carers UK overwhelmed by support from senior politicians encourages carers to share their experience of Carer’s Allowance overpayments as Government is urged to act quickly

Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said: “The overpayments case highlighted in the media over the weekend is indicative of a much wider issue about how unpaid carers are valued and treated by government and by society. A wholescale reform and review of Carer’s Allowance and other carers’ benefits is needed to ensure these adequately support unpaid carers during the time they spend caring for someone and so that the system does not punish them for misinterpreting complicated and harsh earnings rules.

Carers call for action from Stormont on carer's leave in Northern Ireland.

Workers with unpaid caring responsibilities in Scotland will be entitled to take up to five days unpaid leave when the new Carer’s Leave Act comes into force on Saturday 6th April 2024.

Weekly online physical activity sessions throughout April   Individuals and organisations encouraged to participate in mass walking event   The month will culminate in an online Healthathon on Friday 26th April - an afternoon of free activities and wellbeing sessions for unpaid carers 

Unpaid carers forced to reduce their working hours from April 2024.  Carer Poverty Coalition of 130 organisations is calling on political parties to commit to a full review of financial support for unpaid carers and rules preventing them from working alongside caring role. 

Highlighting women unpaid carers for International Women's Day.

Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said: “Today’s Budget falls very short of supporting the UK’s 5.7 million carers who are looking after an ill, elderly, or disabled relative or friend. 

Responding on behalf of the coalition, Tamara Sandoul, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at Carers UK, said: “It is unacceptable that unpaid carers continue to face acute financial hardship, particularly given the high level of support they provide for ill, elderly, and disabled friends

Final legislation passed in Parliament yesterday seals a groundbreaking new right for two million employees with unpaid caring responsibilities to take up to five days of Carer’s Leave.

A cross-party group of MPs and Peers have today launched a new survey to gather the views of unpaid carers and organisations who represent them on their proposal for the UK Government to develop a new National Carers Strategy.

Coalition of Carers Organisations statement on the significant damage of political stalemate to unpaid carers in Northern Ireland.

Carers NI response to new research from Deloitte showing that addressing the cost of living crisis is the top priority the Northern Ireland public has identified for the Stormont Assembly.

The healthcare think tank the Health Foundation has today, Tuesday 23rd January 2024, launched a report urging the next Government to reform funding of the social care system in England as a matter of priority.

This new report by Carers Scotland sets out the struggles that unpaid carers face in juggling paid work and unpaid care and the support that can help them stay in or return to work.

New research from Carers UK shows that having a religion or faith can support the health of people caring for older, disabled, or seriously ill relatives or friends.

A new guide created by Carers UK shows how professionals can make a positive difference for unpaid carers by offering tailored activities encouraging them to get active. 

Carers UK would like to congratulate member and volunteer Matthew McKenzie, who has been awarded a British Empire Medal for his services to carers in the King's New Year Honours 2024. 

Carers UK calls on the current and any future government to prioritise unpaid carers.

Carers NI responds to news that the Carers Leave Act will come into effect in April 2024.

Today, crucial details relating to the Carer’s Leave Act 2023 have been published, after the draft regulations were laid in Parliament on 11 December 2023. This includes the announcement that the Act will come into force on 6 April 2024.

Caring responsibilities are having a significant impact on people’s capacity to work and earn a full-time wage, research from Carers UK shows.  

Today’s Autumn Statement was one of the Government’s last opportunities to deliver for hard-pressed carers in urgent need of support. It must do the right thing for carers and the economy by prioritising long-term, sustainable investment in social care.

Ahead of today’s autumn statement, members of the Carer Poverty Coalition wrote to the chancellor calling for a reform to the benefits system to better support unpaid carers, including a full review into Carer’s Allowance and its eligibility rules so that carers can continue to provide unpaid care whilst also being able to look after their own health, wellbeing, and financial security.

Carers Scotland's report exploring the state of unpaid carers' health in Scotland, based on the 2023 State of Caring survey.

Carers UK responds to a new report from the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS).

Carers UK responds to the National Audit Office report on reforming adult social care in England.

New research from Carers Wales has revealed that family members caring for loved ones who are already struggling with the high cost of living, are being further impoverished by having their ability to earn restricted by Carer’s Allowance.

Helen Walker, chief executive of Carers UK, responds to the King's Speech on 7th November 2023.

A widespread lack of support and recognition from health and care services is damaging unpaid carers’ mental health, research from Carers UK shows.

A widespread lack of support and recognition from health and care services is damaging unpaid carers’ mental health, research from Carers Wales shows. 

Carers UK is really pleased to see the United Nations recognise the invaluable role of care workers and unpaid carers across the world who are looking after ill, disabled or older people.

The Department for Health and Social Care has announced that it is delivering its Accelerating Reform Fund, which will focus on trialling and expanding new approaches to providing care and support and improving services to support unpaid carers.

Our Director of Policy and Public Affairs comments.

Carers Scotland's report exploring the financial situation of unpaid carers in Scotland, based on the 2023 State of Caring survey.

New research from Carers UK shows that family members caring for loved ones who are already struggling with the high cost of living, are being further impoverished by having their ability to earn restricted by Carer’s Allowance. 

Retaining and recruiting care workers is one of the highest priorities for the social care sector right now.

This report demonstrates the scale of the investment needed in social care to provide a decent standard of living for disabled and older people and their families providing unpaid care.

Carers NI response to the potential disruption to Belfast Trust's Meals on Wheels service.

Carers UK responds to NHS flu and COVID-19 vaccine programmes being brought forward due to risk of new Covid variant 

Carers UK has been selected as The Creative Shootout’s Charity of the Year and is set to receive dedicated marketing expertise, including a creative campaign to raise awareness of the unique health challenges facing unpaid carers.

While the energy price cap for 1 October – 31 December 2023 will see a reduction on the current quarter’s price cap, energy bills will continue to be unaffordable for unpaid carers, who are vulnerable to rising costs. 

Carers UK has published a new best practice guide setting out ways organisations can best support older carers who do not have access to the internet.

On Thursday 17 August the Department of Health & Social Care invited care workers and unpaid carers to a reception at Number 10 Downing Street.

Former carers report struggling with their health and finances when their caring role ends

Carers UK Chief Executive, Helen Walker, comments.

Speaking today, Katherine Wilson, Head of Employment and Specialist Delivery, Carers UK, said:  

Helen Walker, Chief Executive, Carers UK, commenting on the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan said:

Carers NI responds to new figures on food insecurity among unpaid carers in Northern Ireland from the Trussell Trust.

Today, the NHS Assembly published a new paper, The NHS In England at 75: priorities for the future, looking at the future of the NHS ahead of its 75th anniversary later in July. 

For a number of consecutive years now, ADASS’ spring survey of adult social services directors has shown that unpaid carers are burning out - and this is the main factor in breakdowns of unpaid carer arrangements, which is putting more pressure back on services

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 provided unpaid care or support to an older, disabled or seriously ill relative or friend at some point during their life, but have not identified themselves or been identified as a carer.

A Bill that gives employees across Great Britain the right to take unpaid leave from work to care for older, disabled or seriously ill relatives or friends has today received Royal Assent.

The Carer’s Leave Bill has today successfully passed its third reading in the House of Lords, meaning it is now just one step away from receiving Royal Assent and becoming law.

Carers Wales welcomes the overall narrative of the report, many of the recommendations and the test questions it poses to decision-makers.

New findings from Carers UK and the University of Sheffield show that unpaid carers in England and Wales contribute a staggering £445 million to the economy in England and Wales every day – that’s £162 billion per year.

New findings from Carers UK and the University of Sheffield show that unpaid carers in Wales contribute a staggering £10.6 billion to the Welsh economy every year.

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, sex and sexual orientation.

Carers UK has joined up with the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) and 90 other charities to call on party leaders to guarantee essentials for low-income households amid rising hardship.

The Carer’s Leave Bill, a Private Member’s Bill brought forward by Wendy Chamberlain MP, has successfully passed Committee Stage in the House of Lords today. The Bill has cross-party support from Peers, including the Government.

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 Heart of Care, which sets out measures for the adult social care system.

Today Carers UK launches Carers Active April 2023, a campaign taking place throughout April to encourage unpaid carers supporting loved ones who are older, disabled or seriously ill to get involved in some physical activity.  

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 the differences and challenges faced by families today.

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

Today’s Spring Budget was unveiled by The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rt. Hon. Jeremy Hunt MP. Carers UK is disappointed that unpaid carers have yet again been omitted from receiving targeted financial support.

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 House of Lords, with cross-party support from Peers, including Government.

The King’s Fund Social Care 360 report, published today, provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of social care in England. The report highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the social care sector, including staffing shortages, underfunding and increased demand for services. It also highlights the challenges faced by unpaid carers and the on-going lack of support that is available to them showing that practical support to families has dropped.

Prominent employers and experts in work and unpaid care met Lord Fox and members of the House of Lords today to discuss the benefits of the Carer’s Leave Bill, in a meeting organised by Carers UK, ahead of its Second Reading in the House of Lords on 3rd of March 2023.  

Carers UK has released a new best practice guide to encourage organisations how best to support unpaid carers who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or other. 

A dedicated coalition of 93 organisations has come together in an effort to lessen the financial hardship experienced by millions of unpaid carers across the UK.

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 Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.

The Carer’s Leave Bill, which could see more than two million working carers get crucial access to one week of unpaid Carer’s Leave, has passed Report Stage and Third Reading in the House of Commons. The landmark Bill will now pass to the House of Lords for its next stages.

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 carers who look after older, disabled or seriously ill relatives better supported in the workplace if successful. 

A new report, released by the Archbishops’ Commission on Reimagining Care, calls for a National Care Covenant with three actions to deliver a new vision for care and support in England. Importantly, this Covenant includes a New Deal for unpaid carers.

Today the Office for National Statistics has published Census 2021 data about unpaid carers which showed growing intensity of care across England and Wales.  

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

This week marked the 500th online meetup delivered by the national charity Carers UK for people caring unpaid for an older, disabled or seriously ill family member or friend.

The Government has announced £250m funding for local areas to buy thousands of extra beds in care homes and other settings, to help discharge more patients who are fit to leave hospital.

Recent research found that unpaid carers find physical activity harder compared to other adults and face poorer health outcomes as a result of caring. Yet, unpaid carers who were able to do more physical activity saw real health benefits. 

A carer champion is an employee who acts as a key contact to support and help carers access information within organisation they work in, as well as externally.

A report published today by the House of Lords Adult Social Care Committee, which was appointed to deliberate the planning for and delivery of adult social care services in England, calls on the government for an urgent reform in adult social care.

Unpaid carers who have part-time jobs will be forced to reduce their working hours for the fourth consecutive year as the earnings threshold for receiving Carer’s Allowance fails to keep pace with the National Living Wage. 

The Government has confirmed plans for new legislation that will give employees the right to ask for flexible working from their first day at a new job, as it formally responds to its consultation on flexible working. Having campaigned for this right for carers, Carers UK warmly welcomes this plan, which would make a difference to millions of unpaid carers juggling their work with looking after an older, disabled or seriously ill relative or friend.

Press release on the concerns of unpaid carers in Wales as part of the State of Caring in Wales launch on Carers Rights Day 2022

Millions of people beginning or ending a caring role each year Carers UK calls for step change in the way that unpaid carers are identified and supported Academic research released for Carers Rights Day (24th November 2022) shows the astonishing numbers of people in the UK starting or ending an unpaid caring role each year. Published by the charity Carers UK, statistical analysis by the Centre for Care, University of Sheffield of data from 2010 to 2020 shows that on average,12,000 people in the UK become an unpaid carer every single day – roughly 84,000 each week. In a year, more than 4.3 million people in the UK become unpaid carers. Similarly, 4 million people stop their unpaid caring roles every year. Of those 4.3 million starting caring roles for older, disabled or seriously ill relatives, more than 1.9 million people are in paid employment.  2.3 million new carers are women and 2 million are men. The analysis underlines the growing need for unpaid carers as a group to be identified and supported within society - by the NHS, social care, employers and businesses as well as in the broader community. 

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rt. Hon. Jeremy Hunt MP, today unveiled the Government’s Autumn Budget. Carers UK welcomes the Government’s announcement that benefit payments will be uprated in line with inflation next year, meaning Carer’s Allowance and other benefits will rise by 10.1% from April 2023. This is something we and others have been calling for the Government to commit to for a number of months and will be a relief to thousands of carers. We also welcome the announcement of further cost of living payments to support families on means tested benefits, the extension of the Household Support Fund, and the additional support that will be provided to pensioners, as these will help significant numbers of people with caring responsibilities manage the current cost of living crisis. However, the lack of targeted financial support for carers who are solely in receipt of Carer’s Allowance ahead of this winter is deeply disappointing. We had urged Government to provide Carer’s Allowance recipients with a £500 one off payment to help them through the coming Winter, as well as rises to the earnings limit for Carer’s Allowance, to ensure carers who are able to work part time could work for more hours. Our evidence shows that two in five of those in receipt of Carer’s Allowance are already in debt because of their caring role. This must be urgently rectified by Government before next Spring when benefit upratings will take place – especially given the additional increases to the National Living Wage announced today. Regarding social care whilst we’re looking at the detail, the additional funding announced by the Chancellor, looks like it  will help to deliver an increase in the number of social care packages which will help to ease the pressures that families are facing ahead of this Winter. We also welcome the additional money announced for the Better Care Fund to support hospital discharge as our State of Caring 2022 survey found unpaid carers short of services, and support which was having devastating impacts on their health and wellbeing. However, we remain concerned about the long term sustainable funding for social care. This still needs to be tackled since the funding falls short of what the social care system and families desperately need. Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK said:  “We’re relieved that benefits are being uprated with inflation but this doesn’t tackle the long lasting and systemic issues with the level of Carer’s Allowance which remains the lowest benefit of its kind, despite carers providing 35 hours of care. We need an urgent review of the benefit to ensure that carers don’t experience the kinds of poverty and financial hardship that we’ve seen even before the cost of living crisis. “Whilst the extra funding for social care is welcome and will help with some of the pressure points in social care, it still falls short of what we really need to give carers the breaks and support they need – 40% of carers have not had a break in the last year. Long term sustainable funding of social care must remain an urgent priority for Government, to provide a decent life for people needing care, to prevent carers from having to give up work in order to care and to stop their health and wellbeing from deteriorating.”

The national charity Carers UK, together with 65 other organisations including Age UK and MS Society, is urging the Government to provide unpaid carers with targeted financial support in the upcoming Autumn Statement to ensure they are not left behind amidst the current cost-of-living crisis. The joint letter calls on the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt MP, to provide targeted financial help for carers who are struggling to make ends meet while caring for their disabled, ill, or older friends and family members There are approximately 10.6 million people providing unpaid care in the UK. Those receiving Carer’s Allowance and providing over 35 hours of care each week are particularly vulnerable to financial difficulties due to their limited ability to earn an income. They cannot cut back on essential expenditure without potentially compromising the safety of the person they are caring for. Recent research by Carers UK found that the proportion of carers unable to afford their utility bills has doubled and two in five carers (39%) in receipt of Carer’s Allowance are struggling to make ends meet. To ensure that carers can get through the difficult unprecedented winter months, Carers UK is asking the Government for considered, targeted financial support for carers: Ensure that all benefits are uprated, including Carer’s Allowance and the Carer Element of Universal Credit, so that they are in line with current levels of inflation as soon as possible to help vulnerable groups survive the winter months. Provide top up payments for unpaid carers who have an entitlement to Carer’s Allowance to recognise the additional costs they are facing during the current cost of living crisis. Raise the earnings limit for Carer’s Allowance to the value of 21 hours a week at the National Living Wage rate (i.e., £199.50), to enable carers to work more hours a week where they can, without losing their entitlement. Review all carers’ benefits, including Carer’s Allowance to ensure that they work well at supporting all types of unpaid carers and prevent them from falling into financial difficulties due to their caring role.

The Carer’s Leave Bill, which aims to support millions of unpaid carers in employment, was discussed in the House of Commons this morning, with a cross-party group of MPs sitting on the Committee looking at the Bill in detail. It was a positive discussion with clear support from all sides of the house, including the Government. If successful in its passage through both Houses of Parliament, the Carer’s Leave Bill would see employees across Great Britain get a landmark new right to take up to one week of unpaid Carer’s Leave. This leave would allow millions of people with caring responsibilities more flexibility to better manage work alongside their caring responsibilities - for example, to help get their loved one to routine hospital appointments, or support them while they recover from an invasive operation.  Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said: “We are delighted that the Carer’s Leave Bill has passed Committee Stage and we’re grateful to all MPs who have examined the Bill. “Caring is something that two in three of us in the UK will do in our lifetime, many of us while still in work, so it is essential that there is support in place to help carers balance their work and caring role. “This Bill, if successful, would also enable employers to retain experienced staff who would otherwise have to leave because of their caring role, so it’s a win-win situation for both. “We look forward to continuing our work with Wendy Chamberlain and the Government, and with MPs across all parties to ensure that this Bill becomes law.” The Private Members Bill, brought forward by Wendy Chamberlain MP, will now proceed to Report Stage where MPs in the House will have another opportunity to consider the Bill. This will then be followed by a debate on the Bill’s Third Reading.

A third of carers have been waiting more than a year for NHS assessment or treatment, with two thirds seeing their health decline while waiting One in five carers report their loved one’s emergency admission to hospital was avoidable Compounded by cost-of-living crisis and lack of care in the community, Carers UK warns of perfect storm for carer breakdown Unpaid carers and the older and disabled people they support are facing serious difficulties getting NHS treatment and their health is deteriorating as a result, new findings by charity Carers UK show. A third of carers (34%) waiting for specialist treatment or an assessment have been waiting more than a year - with a similar proportion, 31%, saying the person they care for has also been waiting for more than a year. It is affecting a third (32%) of carers’ attendance at work, rising to 45% of carers who have been waiting for more than 18 weeks. Two thirds of carers (67%) waiting for treatment say it is having a negative impact on their mental or physical health - with many left in pain and unable to carry out their caring role. A lack of reliable support from care services in the community is seeing one in five carers (22%) tell Carers UK that their loved one’s emergency admission into hospital could have been prevented with higher quality care and support in place. Half of carers (49%) felt that NHS staff did not provide them with the information, advice and support they needed to care well and safely, putting their own health and wellbeing at risk. The findings paint a bleak picture of increasing pressure on unpaid carers as they manage worsening health, compounded by the fundamental shortage of care services meaning they cannot take a break or stay in work to generate an income.

Carers UK responds to Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Bill passing Second Reading On Friday 28th October the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Bill, passed its Second Reading, with Government support. The Bill would make it easier for carers to request flexible working, by increasing the number of times they can request flexible working within a year-long period and requiring employers to consult with employees before rejecting any such request. Flexible working is crucial to enable carers to juggle work and care. Carers UK research shows that pre-pandemic 600 carers a day were leaving the workforce due to their caring responsibilities. Carers UK’s Supporting carers at work: opportunity and imperative report also revealed that nearly three-quarters (72%) of working carers say that they worry about continuing to juggle work with their caring role, while one quarter (24%) of carers in employment said their employer was not understanding of caring. Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said: “We’re delighted that this bill has passed second reading and has Government support, because we know just how much carers value flexibility from their employer. Flexible working can prevent carers from making difficult decisions to leave the workforce, which can have a catastrophic impact on their household finances and career prospects. “Enabling flexible working is a win for both carers in employment and employers. It helps carers manage their caring role – for example, taking loved ones to hospital appointments or day services – while assisting employers with retaining experienced staff. “We will be following this bill closely and urge MPs and Peers to support it as it continues to progress through Parliament.” The Private Member’s Bill, brought forward by Yasmin Qureshi MP, will proceed to Committee Stage and a small group of MPs will scrutinise the wording of the Bill closely.

Carers UK urges new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to ensure unpaid carers get the financial support they desperately need Rishi Sunak has today (25 October 2022) been declared leader of the Conservative Party and Prime Minister. Earlier in the year, as Chancellor, Rishi Sunak pledged to uprate benefits in line with inflation and Carers UK is urging him to keep to his pledge so that hard-pressed unpaid carers can better manage during the cost-of-living crisis.   Carers UK research released last week revealed that one in six (16%) carers are now in debt trying to make ends meet, rising to two in five (40%) of those receiving Carer’s Allowance – the main benefit for those caring 35 hours or more each week. A quarter of unpaid carers (25%) are having to cut back on food and heating to the detriment of their health.

The Carer’s Leave Bill has today passed its Second Reading, securing vital Government support. This legislation, if successful in its passage through both Houses of Parliament, would see employees across Great Britain get a landmark new right to take up to one week of unpaid Carer’s Leave. Passing Second Reading is a significant hurdle that has been overcome.  Wendy Chamberlain MP, sponsor of the Carer’s Leave Bill said: “This is a landmark day for carers around the UK, marking the first step to secure employment rights designed to help people care and work. I am delighted to be bringing this bill, and to have gained the support of Parliament today. Unpaid carers are the backbone of society and we must do all we can to support them. This is a vital part of that. It also benefits businesses: increasing retention rates, productivity, and loyalty. Passing this Bill will be a win-win.” Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said: “We’re thrilled that the Carer’s Leave Bill has passed Second Reading – it is a monumental step forward for unpaid carers juggling their work with care for a relative  who is older, disabled or seriously ill. “Carers UK has campaigned for decades to get carers a right to Carer’s Leave – because the evidence shows it makes a huge difference to working carers’ lives.  “It allows them flexibility to better manage work alongside their caring responsibilities - for example, to help get their loved one to routine hospital appointments, or support them while they recover from an invasive operation. “Carer’s Leave also makes business sense: employers are better able to retain talent and skills within their staff teams and avoid additional recruitment costs and retention rates. The wider economic benefits could be significant. “We look forward to continuing our work with Wendy Chamberlain and the Government, and with MPs across all parties to ensure that this Bill becomes law.” The Private Members Bill, brought forward by Wendy Chamberlain MP, will proceed to Committee Stage and a small group of MPs will scrutinise the wording of the Bill closely.

Commenting on the Care Quality Commission’s 2022 State of Care report, Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said; “The Care Quality Commission’s State of Care report lays bare the extremely challenging situation facing our health and care services. But families up and down the country, caring for their disabled, ill and older relatives, are bearing the brunt of this crisis and providing ever increasing amounts of unpaid care. The proportion of people providing substantial unpaid care has risen by 42% since the height of the pandemic, with carers’ health, wellbeing and paid work suffering. ”Unpaid carers are being forced out of work every day because they have no choice about providing care when statutory services fall short. A staggering 4.68 million unpaid carers are concerned about their own physical and mental health. This situation is simply not sustainable and puts more pressure on unpaid carers when they can least afford it. At a time when carers are struggling more than ever with the cost of living crisis, the new Prime Minister must have this marked essential, with support for social care and carers, as well at the cost of living at the top of the list.”    

Carers UK urges new Prime Minister not to push people providing round-the-clock care further into poverty Cutting back on food and heating is putting the health of carers and the older and disabled people they support at risk Family members caring round the clock for loved ones who are older, disabled or seriously ill are being plunged into debt and struggling to afford food and bills during the cost-of-living crisis, new research by Carers UK reveals. A survey by the charity of more than 12,400 current unpaid carers found that one in six (16%) are now in debt as they try to manage their monthly costs. Those who have been caring for more than five years are struggling most, with one in five (19%) in debt compared to 9% of people caring for less than five years. Those receiving Carer’s Allowance - just £69.70 a week for people providing 35 hours or more of unpaid care each week - are worst affected. Two in five (40%) of carers receiving Carer’s Allowance are in debt as they try to manage their costs. More than a third (35%) are cutting back on food and heating, with four in ten (39%) saying they are struggling to make ends meet.

The Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has today made an emergency financial statement, reversing almost all tax cuts announced by previous Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng. He announced that the cap which would limit the average household energy bill to £2,500 will stop from April, with a Treasury-led review into further support due next year. He confirmed that the Health and Social Care levy is still being reversed.

Responding to today’s announcement that Rt. Hon. Jeremy Hunt MP will be the new Chancellor of the Exchequer, Emily Holzhausen OBE, Director of Policy and Public Affairs, Carers UK said: “With Jeremy Hunt’s knowledge of the health and care system, he knows he must address two key issues for unpaid carers who are facing the double whammy of an unprecedented rise in the cost of living and a care crisis, ahead of this winter. “As Chancellor, he must guarantee an uplift of all social security benefits, including Carer’s Allowance and carers’ means-tested benefits in line with inflation, and an additional top up payment to get them through this winter.  He must also address the care crisis, providing emergency funding for carers’ breaks and funding to support social care to ensure the vital services that families need.  “There is not a moment to lose, and these guarantees cannot come soon enough. The anxiety and pressure that families caring for their disabled, older, and ill relatives is unprecedented.  They are at breaking point and the current situation is simply unacceptable. Every day we’re dealing with queries from carers who are cutting back on food and essentials, being pushed further into poverty, having to turn to foodbanks or get further into debt. They are terrified about how they are going to manage this winter. All this, and yet health and social care would collapse without their support. The balance needs to be tipped further in carers’ favour to provide the support they desperately need. “Less than a month ago, Carers UK led a plea to the former Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng, with 70 other organisations, calling for immediate financial support to be provided by Government to unpaid carers amid an unprecedented cost of living crisis. It’s time to put these calls into action."  According to Carers UK’s research, a staggering 72% of carers have not had a break since the start the pandemic yet are providing more care than every before. In March 2022, our research Under Pressure found that 45% of carers were unable to afford their monthly expenses and things have got worse since then.  

Charity Skills for Care has released new findings showing there are 165,000 vacant posts in adult social care - an increase of 52% and the highest rate on record. Further findings show: The number of filled posts (posts with a person working in them) has dropped by 50,000 – the first drop in the number of social care workers ever. Average vacancy rates across the sector are at nearly 11% which is twice the national average. Care workers with five years’ experience are paid 7p per hour more than a care worker with less than one year’s experience. The average care worker pay is £1 per hour less than healthcare assistants in the NHS that are new to their roles. Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said: “The enormous shortage of care workers in England has become a perpetual issue for the country - one that is piling more pressure on already stretched families who are having to plug the gap. “In many cases family members are having to step in to provide round the clock care for older and disabled relatives, with 600 people a day in the UK leaving the workforce to do so. It is having a huge impact on their physical and mental health, with 72% of unpaid carers unable to take a break from their caring role since the start of the COVID pandemic. “Care workers play an essential role in society supporting people to enjoy a better quality of life - a role that is valued by families and should be valued by the Government. It cannot let the care worker shortage get further out of hand. Adult social care needs a proper long-term workforce plan and significant investment in the system to ensure older and disabled people and their families can enjoy better health and better lives

A new date for the Second Reading for the Carer’s Leave Bill has been agreed in Parliament, with Friday 21 October 2022 being the new date. The Bill was due to have its Second Reading on 9 September, but this was part of the mourning period following the passing of HM The Queen. Emily Holzhausen OBE, Carers UK Director of Policy and Public Affairs said, “We’re delighted that the Government and Parliament have found the time to give Wendy Chamberlain MP’s vital Bill a Second Reading.  We very much hope that Government will give its support since it has such wide-ranging support from MPs as well as business, employers, unions, local authorities, charities, carers organisations as well as many carers. “Carer’s Leave is essential to helping millions of workers juggle work and caring responsibilities, as well as helping employers with recruitment and retention. It would provide vital support for carers to manage medical appointments, and other caring needs, and reduce the risk of them having to leave the workforce due to caring commitments. “We will be encouraging MPs to attend the Second Reading debate on 21 October 2022 and to discuss the Bill in detail and the real benefits that this Bill, if successful, could bring to carers and to business. “  

Lesbian, gay, and bisexual carers were more likely to feel lonely and worried about their finances than their heterosexual peers This group was five times as likely to say they had received reduced support from local charities than heterosexual carers Unpaid carers who identify as gay, lesbian or bisexual were more likely to be lonely and worried about their finances during the COVID-19 pandemic, new analysis by Carers UK suggests. Survey data through the first 18 months of the UK’s first lockdown reveals the latest evidence that existing social and economic inequalities have been amplified and entrenched amongst some groups. Lesbian, gay and bisexual carers were more likely to feel lonely during the pandemic than heterosexual carers. In 2021, 48% of bisexual carers reported that they often or always felt lonely, compared with 45% of lesbian and gay carers, and 33% of heterosexual carers. This cohort of carers were also more concerned about their financial situations. 65% of bisexual carers and 62% of lesbian and gay carers said they felt anxious or stressed when thinking about their financial situation, compared to 50% of heterosexual carers. The analysis reveals the closure of local care and support services disproportionately impacted lesbian, gay and bisexual carers. During the pandemic, this group was significantly more likely to say they were receiving reduced support from local charities than heterosexual carers, with 1 in 10 (11%) saying they had a lower level of support than before the pandemic, compared to 2% of heterosexual carers. In addition, more than 1 in 5 (22%) of lesbian and gay carers were providing more care as they were concerned about the safety or quality of local services compared to just 10% of heterosexual carers and 2% of bisexual carers. Carers UK’s data found key distinctions in caring experiences between lesbian, gay and bisexual carers. Lesbian and gay carers were more likely to be caring for a parent, and bisexual carers were more likely to be caring for a child. In addition, lesbian, gay and bisexual carers were more likely to be caring for a neighbour or friend than heterosexual carers.

The new Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rt Hon Kwasi Kwarteng MP, today set out financial measures for the coming months in the Government’s Plan for Growth.  Carers UK is very concerned that the statement did not include any targeted financial support that unpaid carers need, to help them with the cost of living crisis they are facing right now. Responding, Emily Holzhausen OBE, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at Carers UK said:  “The measures that we have been calling for to support unpaid carers more with the current cost of living crisis are completely missing, leaving millions of carers facing unprecedented financial hardship this autumn and over winter across the UK. Many carers are telling us they are unable to pay essential bills, they are cutting back on food and heating and remain desperately worried about this winter, which will undoubtedly mean bigger costs for Government and society further down the line.   “Unpaid carers provide vital support for the NHS and social care systems, often at great physical and mental cost to themselves. Many carers feel that it is deeply unjust that their already stretched disposable incomes are shrinking because of the rising cost of living, at time when they are doing more and more for those they care for. Many face significantly higher costs that they cannot cut back on any further. “We have asked Government to recognise how difficult the winter will be for unpaid carers. Carer’s Allowance and carers’ means-tested benefits need to be immediately raised in line with inflation this Autumn, and people with an entitlement to carer benefits should receive a top up payment to support them over the coming months. “The Chancellor’s announcement that the funding announced for health and social care by his predecessor last year will be maintained is welcome, and we had previously been encouraged by the Prime Minister’s intention to inject £13 billion into the social care system. Given the pressure that the families and the care system are under, we urgently need to see what Government’s proposals are to ensure carers get the support, services and breaks that they need.”  

The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and Deputy Prime Minister, Rt Hon Therese Coffey MP, today set out the Government’s Plan for Patients, with the aim of ensuring people have easier access to NHS and social care, this winter and next. This includes a package of measures which the Government hope will improve access to general practice so all patients who need an appointment can get one within two weeks, with plans to free up over one million appointments per year. Alongside the Government’s plan, the public will be called on to do their bit as part of a “national endeavour” to support the NHS and social care. Responding, Emily Holzhausen OBE, Director of Policy and Public Affairs, Carers UK said:

72 organisations call for targeted top up for unpaid carers receiving Carer’s Allowance 84% of public agree that the Government should provide unpaid carers with additional support The national charity Carers UK has delivered a letter to the new Chancellor, Kwasi Kwarteng MP, urging him to tackle the cost-of-living crisis’ tightening grip on unpaid carers. The letter is signed by 72 organisations, including Age UK, Mencap and MS Society, and sets out the extreme financial challenges faced by family members providing round the clock care for relatives who are older, disabled or seriously ill. Unpaid carers are particularly vulnerable to many types of rising cost because their ability to earn an income is limited. There are some costs carers cannot cut back on, such as heating and medical equipment, without affecting the safety of the person they care for.

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 discuss the benefits of her proposed Private Members Bill to businesses and employees. If successfully passed through Parliament the Carer’s Leave Bill, which was published on the same day as the event, would introduce a landmark new right for UK employees with caring responsibilities of up to one week of unpaid Carer's Leave each year. Ahead of the Second Reading on 9th September, employers and experts came together to discuss the significance of the Bill and share their experiences of how unpaid Carer’s Leave allows them to better support and retain their staff, as well as cost-savings and other benefits it has brought them. Employers at the event included Centrica, TSB, BT, Nationwide, Listawood, Longhurst Group, international law firm CMS, Agenor and Phoenix Group.

A new Private Members' Bill which could see millions of unpaid carers – those looking after older, disabled or seriously ill relatives or friends – better supported in the workplace, has gained wide-ranging support from politicians, employers and carers' organisations. The Carer's Leave Bill, brought forward by Wendy Chamberlain MP, would introduce a landmark new right for UK employees with caring responsibilities of up to one week of unpaid Carer's Leave each year. A number of MPs on a cross-party basis have come out to say that they will be backing the Bill, including Dame Caroline Dinenage MP (Conservative, Gosport), Sally-Ann Hart MP (Conservative, Hastings and Rye), Steve McCabe MP (Labour, Birmingham Selly Oak), Stuart C McDonald MP (SNP, Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East), Caroline Lucas MP (Green, Brighton Pavilion), Sir Ed Davey MP (Lib Dem, Kingston and Surbiton), Marion Fellows MP (SNP, Motherwell and Wishaw), and Liz Saville-Roberts MP (Plaid Cymru, Dwyfor Meirionnydd). In total, 21 Parliamentarians from across the political spectrum have already pledged their support for the Bill. In addition, 100 organisations are publicly supporting the intention of the Bill, including major employers, employer representative groups, trade unions and national and local carers' organisations – demonstrating its wide-ranging appeal. The second reading of the Bill will take place on Friday 9th September 2022

Carers UK warns of tightening financial squeeze facing unpaid carers ahead of expected increase to energy price cap On Friday 26th August 2022 Ofgem, the government regulator for the electricity and gas markets in Great Britain, is expected to announce another increase to the energy price cap. The cap was raised earlier in the year, in April, by 54%, an increase of £693 per year for 22 million households. This Friday, Ofgem is expected to announce another increase to take effect from 1st October. Unpaid carers are particularly vulnerable to all types of rising costs due to their limited ability to earn an income and due to costs that they cannot cut back on, without affecting the safety of the person they care for. Unpaid carers looking after older, disabled and seriously ill relatives are therefore extremely anxious about what it will mean for them. Carers UK’s Under Pressure: Caring and the cost of living crisis report, published in March 2022, found that: 45% of carers said they were unable to afford their monthly expenses. The number of carers worried about how they will manage their bills more than doubled from 21% to 55%. 45% of carers were relying on their savings, 26% were using credit cards, and 14% were using bank overdrafts. Nearly 6 out of 10 (58%) were cutting back on heating to manage their finances and 14% have already fallen into arrears with their utility bills. 83% of carers were worried or extremely worried about how they will manage their monthly expenses if costs keep increasing. For many carers, the impact of rising prices has got much worse since March. Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said: “We know that thousands of unpaid carers on lower incomes – especially those providing round the clock care – were already worried sick about the expected increases to energy costs back in March, and how they would manage. Things have got much more difficult since then. “As it is, nearly half of carers are already unable to manage their monthly expenses - cutting back on essentials, using savings or taking out credit cards to keep the person their care for warm and healthy. “Some have no way of meeting the rising costs and face extremely difficult decisions that are keeping them up at night. “The Government must take urgent action for carers specifically, ensuring those in receipt of Carer’s Allowance are included in the extension of the Warm Home Discount scheme, and receive targeted financial support with energy bills. Those unpaid carers providing 35 hours or more of care each week also need the Government to address the rate of Carer’s Allowance, just £69.70 a week, which sees their limited support falling behind inflation. “Without targeted support, too many carers and the people they care for will be pushed further into poverty, impacting their quality of life and that of the people they care for.”

Responding to the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (LUHC) Select Committee report published today, 04.08.22, which states that adult social care needs an immediate funding injection to meet current pressures, Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK said: “We strongly welcome this important report and its recognition of the vital role played by unpaid carers in supporting the current social care system. “It lays bare the urgency of the need for action to address immediate and long-term pressures on adult social care. “Unpaid carers are now providing more care than at the height of the pandemic and many thousands have not had a break in over two years as they prop up a crumbling system. As the report states, this is taking a high toll on their health, wellbeing, and finances. Many are having to leave their jobs to care, and the situation is simply unsustainable. We want to see an immediate investment of £1.5 billion from Government to ensure that all unpaid carers have access to the breaks they desperately need, as well as support to stay in work. “We also support the call for Government to review carers’ assessments to ensure all carers get the help they need. At present, only 1 in 4 receive assessments, and even those who do say that they often do not meet their needs. “The next Prime Minister must make social care a priority from day one. We want the Government to implement a ‘Respite and Recovery’ plan for carers, including breaks, desperately needed respite and care services, the identification of carers, financial help to deal with the unprecedented cost of living crisis, and support to juggle work and care, helping to make families feel valued and supported.”

Unpaid carers from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds suffered even greater pressures including further economic hardship from the nations’ first lockdowns onwards, new data analysis by Carers UK suggests. ‘The experiences of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Carers during and beyond the Covid-19 pandemic’[i] is the latest of a series of reports, building to better understand the adverse impact of the pandemic on all unpaid carers. This is based on the charity’s research carried out which included the initial peak between April and September 2020 and into 2021.[ii] The impact of the pandemic has been devastating in many ways for thousands of unpaid carers (13.6 million were caring at its peak). Examining a number of the charity’s reports produced in its first 18 months reveals the latest evidence that existing social and economic inequalities have been amplified and entrenched amongst some groups.  Unpaid carers are no exception. Unpaid carers in all communities are far more likely to suffer financial hardship as a result of performing the role but this is even more common amongst black, Asian and minority ethnic carers. This was before the additional pressure of the current cost of living crisis: In April 2020, over half (58%) of unpaid carers from black, Asian and minority ethnic groups and 37% of white carers agreed or strongly agreed that ‘I am worried about my financial situation.’ By September 2020, 38% said they were struggling to make ends meet. This was the case for 27% of white carers. Only a third (33%) of carers from black, Asian and minority ethnic communities said they could pay their bills without struggling by the Autumn, and just over a half (57%) of unpaid white carers. 68% of carers in black and minority ethnic groups said their bills had increased between Spring and Autumn in contrast to 50% of white unpaid carers. Service closures also appeared to have had a different impact on some unpaid carers: In April 2020, 35% of white carers said closures of services during lockdown was the reason they were providing more hours of care. This was true for 47% of black, Asian and minority ethnic carers. By last summer, just 14% of white carers felt confident they would have the practical support they needed for the next year, contrasting with an even smaller 10% of black, Asian and minority ethnic carers. Working carers rely on good quality social care to be able to feel confident the person they care for is getting the right support so they can continue to earn an income and support themselves and their families. Matthew McKenzie, Co-Chair of the Carers black, Asian and minority ethnic advisory group said: “It is concerning that carers from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds were more likely to be worried about making ends meet during the pandemic. We know that managing finances will become even more difficult for many carers as a result of the current cost-of-living crisis, and this may have an impact on carers’ physical and mental health. During this time of unprecedented financial hardship, it is vital that carers from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds are able to access the support they need. We will continue to support Carers UK with their research into the experiences of carers from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, so that we have a greater understanding of the specific needs of carers from different groups as well as helping to highlight and champion examples of good practice.”   Commenting on the analysis, Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said:  “This is an important addition to help us further our understanding of the adverse impacts on unpaid carers in every community. We are seeing unprecedented levels of stress and financial worries piled on all. Thousands were already struggling to manage their monthly expenses before the cost of living crisis began and as this shows, existing concerns were growing back in 2020. That carers from disadvantaged communities were more likely to be struggling, stressed and anxious is a big concern given the situation now. “Carers are propping up our health and care system at a huge cost to their own personal health, finances and ability to stay in work. Now the picture is growing even bleaker and there is an urgent need for targeted support for all unpaid carers now. Thousands more are being pushed into poverty that will have a lasting impact on their finances and quality of life. We need to see greater financial support to all unpaid carers immediately to help with spiralling bills including an immediate increase in Carers Allowance. “We also urge carers from black, Asian and minority communities to complete our 2022 State of Caring survey, the biggest, most comprehensive snapshot of caring in the UK, to ensure we capture all carers’ experiences.”   [i] This report aims to compare the experiences of Black, Asian and minority ethnic carers with their White British counterparts as well as examining trends over time, and to understand whether the additional experience of being of a Black, Asian or minority ethnic background has added to the challenges that all carers have faced due to COVID-19. This report will be followed by a good practice briefing which sets out what service providers who support carers (such as local authorities, health bodies and the voluntary and community sector) can do to better support those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities, and address the problems highlighted in this research. [ii] This research is based on several surveys undertaken by Carers UK. Pandemic data is based on the ‘Caring behind closed doors’ surveys, conducted in April and September 2020. More recent data is taken from the 2021 State of Caring Survey, the UK’s largest survey of unpaid carers. Each of these surveys were completed by thousands of carers across the UK and offer comprehensive data on carers’ experiences during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said:  “The ongoing chronic shortage of social care services and care staff mean family members are left with no choice but to pick up more care. Unpaid carers are now providing more care than at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly those on the lowest incomes and this is impacting their finances and health and wellbeing. “Before the pandemic, 600 people a day in the UK were leaving their jobs to care – this could be even higher now. Amidst the cost of living crisis, the large gaps in support are affecting the ability of thousands to stay in work and pay their rising bills. Too many are being pushed further into poverty. “With hundreds of thousands of people now waiting for an assessment or service, sustainable funding for social care is essential. Without it, many families will simply be unable to cope – 73% of Social Services Directors have reported rising numbers of breakdowns of unpaid carer arrangements, according to ADASS. “If Government brought forward a Recovery and Respite plan immediately it would bring unpaid carers of all ages the help they so urgently need, help swathes of people stay in work and sustain our hard-pressed health and care systems. We want to see an immediate investment of £1.5 billion in breaks for carers to help them cope and targeted financial support.”

Responding to the ADASS (Association of Directors of Social services) 2022 Spring survey, Emily Holzhausen, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at Carers UK said:     “That almost three quarters of Social Services Directors have reported rising numbers of breakdown of unpaid carer arrangements is the latest alarming evidence that family members are on their knees and struggling to cope without outside support. “The perpetual lack of care staff and rising costs of care mean family members are left with no choice but to pick up more care. Unpaid carers are now providing more care than at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic and this is impacting their health and wellbeing. Amidst the growing cost of living crisis, this is also affecting their ability to work and pay their rising bills. The situation is simply unsustainable. “If Government brought forward a Recovery and Respite plan immediately it would bring unpaid carers of all ages the help they so urgently need, support families and relationships, sustain our health and care system and above all, make families providing care feel valued and supported. We want to see an immediate investment of £1.5 billion in breaks for carers to help them cope.”

Carers UK warmly welcomed the news that unpaid carers will now be included in the autumn vaccine booster programme for COVID-19 as well as the annual flu campaign where they are eligible for a free jab.

Unpaid carers gain new rights as Health and Care Act 2022 introduced Carers UK highlights new rights for carers on the 74th anniversary of the NHS New NHS Integrated Care Boards are now in force across England (since 1 July) and carry new duties making them responsible for involving carers and those they care for in decision-making. Carers now have to be involved when decisions are made about changing or developing a service and there is an expectation of involvement in relation to the patient’s prevention, treatment, diagnosis and care. Carers also have important new rights at hospital discharge. NHS hospital trusts in England must ensure that unpaid carers are involved as soon as feasible when plans for a patient’s discharge after treatment are being made. This covers all carers of adults needing care and support following hospital discharge, including health care support.  Carers UK was pleased that Government agreed that these new rights on hospital discharge should be included as other legislation was being repealed. Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK said: “We want to remind unpaid carers they now have stronger rights after this hard-fought win to ensure that they are involved as early as possible in discharge in particular. We were delighted that the Government considered this and listened to the strength of feeling about it from carers. Our evidence from carers showed how devastating hospital discharge can be where carers are not consulted, involved or given the right information and support to care safely and well. “We look forward to working with the NHS to ensure that this is delivered well for carers.” “These new rights are about making sure that carers are involved by the NHS strategically when decisions are being made about services and in relation to the person they are caring for. Unpaid carers are the backbone of our health and care system, whose support has been worth a staggering £193 billion a year during the pandemic.” “The NHS involving unpaid carers means getting it right for everyone, improving health and wellbeing and outcomes. It can also save costly interventions down the line which everyone wants to avoid, particularly at a time when health and care services are so stretched.” Read Carers UK’s current checklist for carers on coming out of hospital:

Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK said: “This latest evidence of the acute pressures on older unpaid carers reflects what we hear from those of all ages; that thousands are at breaking point, exhausted after more than two years of little or no outside support and an increasing sense of isolation.  Just a few weeks ago we published new research showing that the impact of caring on carers’ mental and physical health was topping their list of concerns and this evidence shows just how bad things are getting for older carers.  It is heart-breaking to see so many carers struggling and makes no sense.  If carers’ health breaks down, an overloaded NHS and underfunded social care system end up with vastly increased costs of providing care not just for one person but for two. “If Government brought forward a Recovery and Respite plan, it would bring the much needed help for older and young carers, helping to repair their broken health, support family and relationships, sustain our health and care system and above all, would make families providing care feel valued and supported. “

Carers UK today welcomed the Government’s investment plans in more digital means of support but warned that it still needed to go alongside broader support for unpaid carers and investment in social care if it’s to realise its full potential. Carers UK’s State of Caring research with over 8,000 unpaid carers has shown that digital support has much greater possibilities for supporting unpaid carers.  42% of unpaid carers said that remote healthcare such as making appointments online or managing prescriptions digitally had made caring easier along with 60% of unpaid carers using remote monitoring services such as personal alarms, falls sensors and similar technology. Although 62% of unpaid carers providing substantial care responding to our survey did not use the NHS App, they also indicated there was much bigger potential in terms of being able to access care records and being identified as a carer. Carers UK’s Jointly app is being explored as one intervention that NHS Trusts could give to unpaid carers to help them co-ordinate care amongst family members, local community, paid staff or just keep track of appointments and medication.   Helen Walker, Chief Executive, Carers UK said: “There’s much greater potential for digital to make unpaid carers’ lives easier, as long as it is built on their priorities and by involving them. “The NHS backlog is placing even more pressure on carers, who are already providing historically high levels of care, as they wait for vital treatment for their family members. Using digital health and care interventions can make caring easier and have huge growth potential, but we need to listen closely to carers designing systems and processes to deliver a better outcome for them and make sure we are not making caring harder for some. One in seven carers in our State of Caring survey said online health appointments had made caring more difficult.  Helen added: “This funding, although welcome, must be matched by solid investment in social care and ensuring that carers are identified and given sufficient breaks. With carers’ ill-health topping their list of worries in our research for the first time, this serves as a warning that we’re on the brink of exhausting the very group of people whom the NHS relies on every day to provide care.”  

Today, the terms of reference for the UK Covid-19 Inquiry have been set out by the Prime Minister, meaning it can officially begin its work. Chaired by Baroness Heather Hallett, it has been set up to examine the UK’s response to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and learn lessons for the future. Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK said: “Unpaid carers have had a particularly difficult time during the pandemic given the demands of their roles and lack of external support, and many want this to be clearly heard and understood.  “We submitted evidence to this effect asking for the terms of reference to explicitly include carers and are delighted that we and others who provided similar evidence have been listened to. “We look forward to submitting evidence to the Inquiry based on the lived experiences of thousands of unpaid carers that we have been in touch with over the last two years.”

Carers UK comment on the Personal Social Services Survey of adult carers in England report (SACE, 2021-22):   The national survey takes place every other year, but this time has been delayed by a year due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. It is conducted by Councils with Adult Social Services Responsibilities (CASSRs) and seeks the opinions of carers aged 18 and over, caring for a person over 18, on issues considered to be indicative of a balanced life outside of their unpaid caring role.   Carers UK today welcomed the publication of this report. However, it highlights deep concerns in how thousands of unpaid carers across the country are feeling about the support they get:   There has been a sharp drop in the number of unpaid carers in England reporting that the person they care for has used services that allowed them to take a break for more than 24 hours (13.3 per cent, 42,800 carers, compared to 19.6 per cent, 57,280 people in 2018-19). Likewise, the percentage of carers where the person they care for received services that allowed them to take a break from caring at short notice, or in an emergency, fell from 13.6 per cent (39,670) to 10.5 per cent (33,780). At the same time, the percentage of unpaid carers with a mental health problem or illness has climbed steeply from 10.9 per cent (63,410) in 2018-19 to 13.2 per cent (75,390) in 2021-22. Unpaid carers feeling encouraged and supported in their caring roles has been steadily declining, with those feeling they had no support or encouragement at all increasing from 20.7 per cent (60,520) in 2018-19 to 22.8 per cent (73,370). And the numbers of carers who said there had been no discussions about the support or services provided to the person they care for in the last year grew from 31.2 per cent (91,250) to 36.1 per cent (116,360). The percentage of carers who felt they always feel involved or consulted dropped from 27.4 per cent (80,090) to 22.6 per cent (72,780). Helen Walker, Chief Executive, Carers UK, said:   “This report confirms what so many unpaid carers have told us. That they are at breaking point, exhausted after more than two years of little or no outside support and an increasing sense of isolation. This is clearly impacting on their sense of value, their mental and physical wellbeing.   “We are calling on the Government to implement an urgent ‘Recovery and Respite’ plan, including breaks, desperately needed respite and care services, identification of carers, financial help, and support to juggle work and care. Doing so would recognise the enormous impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on carers’ lives, as well as the people they care for, and help to mitigate some of the  impacts that caring has on many carers’ own physical and mental health.”

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 More care is being provided than ever before – even more than during the height of the pandemic Overwhelming public support for more Government action to help unpaid carers 

The Chancellor’s statement today (26.5.2022) set out a package of support to help with the cost living. This includes several measures including £400 for all households, a boost of £650 for people in receipt of means-tested benefits, extra support for pensioners and an extra £150 for people in receipt of disability benefits. Responding to the announcement, Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said: “The announcement today will bring some welcome comfort to carers who are on means-tested benefits and who are also pensioners as they’ve faced soaring costs, increasing the stress of caring for relatives and friends who are disabled, ill or older and need help. They have been struggling with decisions every day about whether to heat or eat and they’ve been terrified about what this will mean for them and their family. “However, there are several hundred thousand carers who don’t receive means-tested benefits, but who are in receipt of Carer’s Allowance, the main carers’ benefit.  They will be shocked and devastated to see that they won’t get any of the extra payments of £650 even though Carer’s Allowance is the lowest benefit of its kind at only £69.70 per week and won’t even get an extra £150 alongside people who are in receipt of disability benefits. “Our research, Under Pressure, has found that many carers face additional costs because of caring such as transport, doing extra laundry and technology to help manage caring. These carers will be left wondering how they will face these extra costs as prices continue to rise.   It’s not as simple as finding extra paid work to help meet extra costs when it’s impossible to cut back any further. Many are providing significant amounts of care and  just can’t get an extra job. Many have already given up work to care. “For months Carers UK and others have been drawing the Government’s attention to the extreme challenges that carers are facing with their finances, as well as the lack of financial support carers have received in their own right since the start of the pandemic.  People  in receipt of Carer’s Allowance were overlooked for the £20 a week additional payment that Universal Credit recipients received from March 2020 until last Autumn, meaning carers lost out on over £1000 a year for two years in a row. “Carers in receipt of Carer’s Allowance have been contacting us at their wits end in recent months, with many telling us they are having to get further into debt, use food banks and credit cards, or cut back on heating and energy bills to ensure they can remain solvent. Today’s announcement for this overlooked group of carers is not enough to reduce the worry and financial stress in the weeks and months ahead and it makes them feel even less valued. “Carers continue to provide unpaid care worth £530m per day – with a combined total since March 2020 of over £400 billion. Many of these people have had to make huge sacrifices to do so, including giving up their paid jobs.

Commenting on the new interim advice from the JCVI, Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK said: “Yet again we are raising the fact that millions of unpaid carers looking after disabled, older or ill relatives and friends are being left out of announcements about the vaccination programme even though they do the same job as frontline health and care staff but care unpaid. The vaccination programme, when it included unpaid carers, recognised the hugely important role they provide which cannot easily be replaced should they become ill by overstretched health and care services. The first vaccination and booster programmes also understood the fact that vaccinating carers reduced the risk to the person being cared for. By not recognising carers, we are not only de-valuing their role, we are potentially building up unnecessary risk across health and care services, as well as to vulnerable individuals.  The pandemic does not feel like it is over for many unpaid carers who are still worried about the risk to the person they care for.   We sincerely hope that the final iteration of the guidance about boosters from the JCVI will include unpaid carers as they did last autumn 2021, making them a priority, recognising their valuable role.”

 “We are deeply worried by these latest findings. Unpaid carers are at breaking point, exhausted after more than two years of caring with little or no outside support. The impact on a social care system that was already on the brink of collapse before the pandemic means even more pressure on even more families who are propping up a chronic shortage of services. “With hundreds of thousands of people now waiting for an assessment or service, sustainable funding for social care is essential, without which many thousands of carers and families will simply be unable to cope much longer. Together with the impact of the cost of living crisis, we’ll see the unacceptable inequalities that unpaid carers and their families already face, widen.”  

“That the promised Employment Bill has been excluded from the Government’s commitments for the next year is a severe blow for unpaid carers. It’s a huge missed opportunity. “The Government had been very keen to stress the introduction of a right to Carer’s Leave as support for unpaid carers, as an important part of its delivery of social care reform, hospital discharge and staying in work; – essential, given the pressures on families as the cost of living crisis deepens.  It feels like Government is backtracking on their manifesto promises to carers. “This is such a missed opportunity to value carers and to ensure that they had the support to continue to juggle work and care.  Employers from Carers UK’s employer led forum, Employers for Carers, have found positive business benefits from introducing Carer’s Leave.  “With severe social care shortages and pressures on the NHS, families simply can’t do it all. Many are at breaking point. This is precisely the time when Government really should be investing in carers and their families as well as employers by bringing in the right to up to one week’s unpaid Carer’s Leave and a day one right to request flexible working.”

Responding to recent press speculation that an Employment Bill would not be forthcoming in the Queen’s Speech, Carers UK has urged the Government to make a right to Carer’s Leave and day one rights to request flexible working a priority and to fulfil their manifesto commitments.  Helen Walker, Chief Executive, Carers UK, said: “It would be shocking and incredibly disappointing for carers if we did not see a commitment to legislate for both a day one right to request flexible working and for up to one week’s unpaid Carer’s Leave which both support unpaid carers. In November 2021, our research[i] found that 37% of carers said they needed unpaid Carer’s Leave and that a further 1 in 7 workers who were carers were at risk of reducing working hours or giving up work altogether if they didn’t get it. “Government has been very keen to stress the introduction of a right to Carer’s Leave as support for unpaid carers in the delivery of social care reform, hospital discharge and staying in work; – vital, given current income pressures on families with the cost of living rises.  It would be devastating if that support for unpaid carers ebbed away.  We need Government to make every effort to deliver on their manifesto promises to carers. “A day one right to request flexible working is just as important. Carers UK’s research shows there are still many unpaid carers out there who are at risk of losing their jobs if they don’t get more flexibility in the workplace.  “With social care shortages and pressures on the NHS, families simply can’t do it all. This is precisely the time when Government really should be investing in carers and their families as well as employers by bringing in the right to up to one week’s unpaid Carer’s Leave and a day one right to request flexible working. There has never been a more important time to do so. “The Government's consultation on Carer's Leave found support across business and carers alike."   [i]Findings in our report Supporting Carers at work: Opportunity and imperative, published in November 2021

As the Health and Care Bill receives Royal Assent and passes into law, Carers UK has welcomed the new rights to involve carers and people who use services which run throughout the legislation.  The Act will place new duties on NHSE&I and the new Integrated Care Boards to involve carers strategically through public engagement. It also introduces new provisions requiring involvement with carers, where appropriate, in relation to any services for the prevention, diagnosis, care and treatment of the person they care for.  The new law contains key responsibilities for NHS Trusts to involve carers, including young carers, and patients during the process of hospital discharge – which is essential. Helen Walker, Chief Executive, Carers UK said: “Every time we engage with unpaid carers, we can see how good involvement makes a real difference. They are the experts who can help shape services and support, and they provide the bulk of care in the community. On an individual level, being involved and then being given the right information and advice to care, makes a huge difference.  Carers say it enables them to provide better care, improves their health and wellbeing as well as that of the person they are caring for. We are pleased that Government has listened and that these new rights are now becoming a reality.   “We look forward to working with Government, NHS England and Improvement, and the new Integrated Care Boards and Partnerships to make sure that this works best for everyone, including carers.  With the NHS and social care facing unprecedented demand, supporting carers better and giving them the right information and advice can help to prevent other issues further down the line. “During the passage of the Bill, the Government also promised to involve carers more in its review of the NHS Constitution which has also been welcomed by Carers UK. “Whilst the new rights for carers are positive, Carers UK believes that the system needs adequate resourcing to follow through.  Carers, including young carers, need support to work or study properly at school, and to maintain their health and wellbeing.”

In the first national event of its kind, hundreds of unpaid carers from around the UK will join Carers UK’s Healthathon on Saturday 30 April, for activities designed to boost their health and wellbeing. The Healthathon marks the culmination of Carers UK’s Carers Active April campaign. The all-day event with five and half hours of free, wide-ranging and inclusive sessions via Zoom, will allow carers to join in at different times from their own homes. According to Carers UK’s research[i], carers’ wellbeing can be negatively affected by caring and they are significantly less likely to be physically active, impacting their physical and mental health.  Three-quarters of carers said they were less able to do as much physical exercise as they would like, but that being physically active made them feel good about themselves. The day will be kicked off with a warm-up by the legendary Mr Motivator, known for his upbeat energy and engaging approach to encouraging anyone wanting to get more active at home. Mr Motivator said: “I’m delighted to be a part of the Healthathon event which will cap off a really important Carers Active April campaign month. It’s vital that we raise awareness and support carers to be as active as possible so that their physical and mental health and wellbeing is improved. I look forward to getting everyone moving and in the mood for the different physical activity and wellbeing sessions during the Healthathon!” The day will offer a wide range of physical activity and wellbeing sessions for carers to try, a chance to meet others and to gain hints and tips from professionals and experts.  Sessions include a strength and balance work-out, Tai Chi movements for wellbeing, tips for healthy eating on a budget, online tea and chat, a Bollywood dance session, relaxing yoga, and a physical activity goal setting and motivation session, which will include the chance to hear from a carer who will talk about how physical activity has improved her wellbeing. Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK said: “We’re delighted to be running the Healthathon as an enjoyable way for more unpaid carers to find some activities that they can take part in, that boost their wellbeing, help connect with other carers and that they can fit around their caring responsibilities. “Unpaid carers have had an extremely challenging time during the pandemic, and many have seen their own health and wellbeing significantly impacted by their responsibilities. Caring for someone who is older, disabled or seriously ill can make it very difficult for carers to prioritise their own health and wellbeing on a day-to-day basis, but it is so important.” Hayley has been caring for her husband for three years, after he experienced a spinal injury. She discovered how physical activity could help her mental health earlier in the COVID pandemic when she felt overloaded and had to take time off work. She said: “I now go to a local gym class each week with a friend. I also signed up for a 5k. The exercise makes me feel fitter, generates natural endorphins and makes me feel happier.” Carers Active April is a month-long campaign as part of Carers Active, run by Carers UK and funded by Sport England through the National Lottery. The month has shone a light on the importance of providing access and opportunity for unpaid carers to be physically active in a way that works for them. For online activities, tips and motivation from other carers sharing their own stories to getting more active at any time, carers and their families can visit Carers UK’s Carer's Active Hub  to find out more.   [i] About the research: This was a mixed methods research project which included a quantitative phase consisting of analysis of over 2000 responses to the State of Caring 2019 survey as well as a qualitative phase including focus groups and interviews with 37 participants. This was followed by a pilot project, testing the ideas from the research with 27 participants.

Over 930,000 unpaid carers will see a real terms cut in benefits - Carers UK response to benefits upratings1 On Monday 11 April 2022, state benefits are being uprated to the new 2022/23 levels but are leaving unpaid carers’ benefits far behind the rate of living costs, meaning a real terms cut in income. Carers receiving the main carers’ benefit, Carer’s Allowance, will be getting an increase of just £2.10 per week, based on inflation rates of only 3.1% set last year when the real rate of inflation could now be as high as nearly 8% in April. This represents a real terms cut in benefits as inflation outstrips the levels of uprating. Carer’s Allowance will rise from £67.60 a week to £69.70, whilst the earnings limit for those claiming the benefit will rise from £128 to £132 a week. As the National Living Wage (NLW) has also increased, it means that anyone employed on the NLW will see a real terms cut in the number of hours they are able to work and still keep their Carer’s Allowance. This will fall from a maximum 14.36 hours of work per week to only 13.89 hours a week to stay within the limit.  If a carer goes over the earnings limit, they lose 100% of their Carer’s Allowance, a harsh penalty to pay. For people caring for a severely disabled person for more than 35 hours a week, the carer element of Universal Credit will rise to £168.81 a month. Carer’s Allowance is the lowest benefit of its kind and 35 hours of care need to be provided to a person with significant needs receiving the right level of disability benefits.  Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said: “As the cost of living crisis piles on the stress and pressure to household finances across the UK, the below inflation increases to Carer’s Allowance and Universal Credit are yet another blow for hard pressed carers.   “Many carers have a reduced capacity to work because of their caring responsibilities or have had to give up work altogether. Despite the majority of carers having taken on more care during the pandemic, which has protected our health and care systems, they face a real terms cut in the level of financial support they receive. Carers do not deserve more hardship when they have done so much. “Caring for someone can mean extra costs like having to use more electricity for special equipment, more heating to keep someone frail or unwell warm, and needing to spend more on special food. According to Carers UK’s recent research, Under Pressure, a quarter of carers receiving carer benefits were already using a foodbank.2 Today’s real-term cuts mean that many more will face challenging decisions about whether they heat their home or feed themselves.  “Once again the UK Government has failed to increase the Earnings Limit for Carer’s Allowance in line with rises in the National Living Wage meaning carers can now work just 13 hours a week and retain their entitlement to Carer’s Allowance. This is completely counter to the UK Government’s objective to make work pay. What we need urgently is a system that legislates for a year-on-year rise, in line with at least 16 hours at the National Living Wage along with significant increases to carers’ benefits.”

Carers UK today welcomed an amendment to the Health and Care Bill which was passed in the Commons having been brought forward by the Government. This places a new duty on NHS hospital trusts in England to ensure that unpaid carers are involved as soon as feasible when plans for the patient’s discharge are being made. The amendment covers all carers of adults needing care and support following hospital discharge, including health care support. This means that young carers looking after adults would also be covered. Earlier this month, a cross-party group of Peers in the House of Lords won an historic amendment which would have made sure that carers’ rights were retained and enhanced at the point of discharge, which would otherwise have been lost as key legislation was being repealed. 

Commenting on the Government’s next steps for living with COVID-19, including eligibility for access to free COVID testing, as set out    in a written ministerial statement by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK said: “Carers UK is deeply disappointed that tests will not be made free of charge to unpaid carers whether they are symptomatic or not.  “Having borne the brunt of the pandemic and gone to extraordinary lengths to protect their relatives, unpaid carers are now being asked to pay in order to protect those they care for who are at risk of COVID.  This is a short-sighted move, that will make little sense to unpaid carers. “Carers on low incomes, who are already facing spiralling bills they cannot meet, will not be in a position to pay for tests to know whether they have COVID-19 or not. Carers will be asking themselves who will provide the alternative care and who will pay for it if they think they have COVID-19? Can it be provided at very short notice? With social care stretched further than it’s ever been this is unlikely. “For families who have been providing unpaid care, they face either hugely increased costs of caring or heightened anxiety and it will deepen health inequalities.  This decision shows a lack of respect and understanding of what unpaid carers have done during the pandemic and continue to do. “Carers UK raised this issue many times with the Government, with the UKHSA and with Parliamentarians and is now asking the Government to reconsider for unpaid carers.”

A brand new campaign from Carers UK to help unpaid carers become more physically active in engaging and accessible ways will kick off shortly. Carers Active April will help unpaid carers all over the UK who want to move more but find it challenging due to the demands of their roles. Those caring for a partner, relative or friend who is disabled, frail or unwell are being called on to sign up or spread the word on what promises to be an inclusive and exciting four weeks. Three quarters of carers (76%) are not able to do as much physical exercise as they’d like to due to the stress and demands of caring for a relative or friend. At the same time 73% say that being physically active makes them feel good about themselves.[i] Carers Active April aims to change this so more carers can more easily access activity and feel the benefits of it. On joining, carers will receive: A free starter pack including free resources, access to online sessions, and weekly emails with helpful ideas, top tips and links to more support. The four weeks of activity will culminate in a ‘Healthathon’ [ii]on Saturday 30 April, a fun, free online event which will offer exclusive sessions to join throughout the day as well as special guests. The first 500 carers to sign up to Carers Active April will receive a special Healthathon pack. Funded by Sport England through the National Lottery and run by Carers UK as part of the ongoing Carers Active campaign, the month will offer unpaid carers opportunities to give new activities a go. Carers and their families as well as organisations can visit Carers UK’s Carers Active Hub and read about the experiences of others and their journeys to becoming more active. Carers and organisations can share their own experiences and find inspiration in others as well as share what they have planned using the campaign hashtag #CarersActiveApril. Hayley has been caring for her husband for three years, after he suffered a spinal injury. She discovered how physical exercise could help her mental health earlier in the COVID pandemic when she felt overloaded and had to take time off work. She said: “I now go to a local gym to a class each week with a friend. I also signed up for a 5k. The exercise makes me feel fitter, generates natural endorphins and makes me feel happier.” Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK said: “Carers have had an extremely challenging time during the pandemic, and many have seen their own health and wellbeing significantly impacted by their caring responsibilities during this time Now more than ever, finding ways to improve carers’ health and wellbeing is crucial. Caring for someone who is older, disabled or seriously ill can make it very difficult for carers to prioritise their own health and wellbeing on a day-to-day basis. “We’re delighted to introduce Carers Active April and the Barclays funded Healthathon as an enjoyable way for unpaid carers to find some physical activity that they enjoy, that they can benefit from and that they can fit around their caring responsibilities.” For online activities, tips and motivation from other carers sharing their own stories to getting more active, carers and their families can visit Carers UK’s Carer's Active Hub to find out more, and sign up receive their exclusive Carers Active April Starter Pack. -Ends- Notes to editors: Please contact us at media@carersuk.org to find out about case study stories, spokespeople, research and more. More about Carers Active: Carers Active is a Sport England and National Lottery funded project delivered by Carers UK, aimed at supporting unpaid carers to be more physically active and improve their mental and physical health and wellbeing as a result. Physical activity is a vital part of a healthy lifestyle and helps with managing stress and anxiety as well as reducing loneliness and increasing feelings of positivity during daily life. Every minute of physical activity counts to improve carers' health, and it’s never too late for carers to start moving more. The project sees Carers UK working with carers, organisations, and professionals to:  Continue to help carers become more physically active and improve health andwellbeing, especially to reduce loneliness. Raise awareness of the benefits of physical activity and ways to address barriers. Increase opportunities for carers to access a range of different physical activities. We are working to raise the profile of physical activity and carers, encourage positive action to make physical activity more possible for carers, fitting in with their needs, as well as deliver support directly to carers, through session delivery and volunteer involvement. [i] About the research: This was a mixed methods research project which included a quantitative phase consisting of analysis of over 2000 responses to the State of Caring 2019 survey as well as a qualitative phase including focus groups and interviews with 37 participants. This was followed by a pilot project, testing the ideas from the research with 27 participants. [ii] The Healthathon is supported by Barclays’ £100m COVID-19 Community Aid Package with its 100x100 Programme aimed at getting support right into the heart of local communities across the UK and reach those that need it. Through the programme, Barclays is supporting 250 UK grassroots charities with donations of £100,000 to deliver impactful on-the-ground support to local communities affected by the pandemic.  

On 23 March 2022, the Chancellor, Rt. Hon. Rishi Sunak MP delivered his Spring Statement to Parliament. You can see the Statement in full here. Responding, Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said: “Many carers will be extremely worried about what they heard from the Chancellor in his Spring Statement today and unsure how they will meet the spiralling costs of energy and essentials they are facing in the coming weeks ahead, leaving them with very difficult decisions to make. The 5p cut in fuel duty and the £500 million household support fund announced today will make a difference to some carers, but these are simply not enough to protect unpaid carers on low and moderate incomes from the devastating cost of living crisis the UK is currently experiencing. Many carers are already dipping into savings, using credit cards, and cutting back on essentials to keep the person they care for warm and to protect their health. Carers have told us they are fearful of the effect increased energy bills in April are going to have on them and their families and that they will have to make difficult choices about eating or heating their homes. Carers on Carer’s Allowance and Carer Element of Universal Credit are already in extremely challenging financial circumstances and it is bitterly disappointing that in April they will receive a real terms cut in the level of social security they are receiving. While carers in receipt of Carer’s Allowance in Wales today heard they will be receiving a £500 one off payment, there was no such thing for unpaid carers in England or Northern Ireland. Without additional support to manage the cost of living crisis, many unpaid carers will be pushed further into poverty that will have a lasting impact on their finances and quality of life, despite the £380 billion that carers have saved the UK economy since COVID struck in March 2020.”  

“I am anxious & scared of what our living costs will be in the coming months. I’m unable to sleep and worried about surviving” (an unpaid carer, February 2022).  

Carers UK strongly welcomed the fact that Peers have today successfully won an amendment against the Government’s attempt to revoke the Community Care (Delayed Discharges etc) Act 2003 in the Health and Care Bill during its report stage in the Lords. The Bill, unamended, would have taken away unpaid carers’ vital rights at the point of hospital discharge. The amendment, which was led by Baroness Pitkeathley, had cross-party support from Lord Young, Baroness Hollins and Baroness Meacher.  This was an important and decisive “win” for carers, showing that Peers understood and recognised the value of unpaid carers’ support. The vote of 205 to 155 against the Government’s proposals sends a very clear message to Government that they should protect carers’ rights as the Bill progresses. The amendment safeguards carers’ rights by ensuring hospitals consult with unpaid carers at the point of discharge, builds in checks that the carer is willing and able to care and would ensure joint working to make sure that the carers are supported. Importantly, the amendment means that the rights would apply to adults providing unpaid care to other adults who are disabled or chronically ill, parent carers of disabled children and young carers who are so often overlooked. Carers UK’s research and in-depth evidence from carers showed that, by not consulting, involving or supporting the unpaid carer, the health of the patient, as well as the carer, was being put at risk. This included patients being readmitted to hospital where carers said this could have been avoided.

Carers UK calls on Peers to support a cross party amendment, in the Health and Care Bill, to safeguard unpaid carers rights on discharge from hospital. The Health and Care Bill as it stands revokes the Community Care (Delayed Discharges, etc) Act 2003 which includes a requirement on hospitals to consult carers prior to discharge.   The Health and Care Bill marks the first time unpaid carers rights will be removed without being replaced with additional or improved rights.  It is being debated at Report stage in the House of Lords. Carers UK research[1] has revealed deep concerns over the hospital discharge process, and the impact of the recently implemented Discharge to Assess model on unpaid carers. It found that too many carers felt they had not been adequately consulted or provided with sufficient information to care safely, after the person they care for is discharged from hospital. More than half of carers (56%) providing significant hours of care were not involved in decisions about hospital discharge. Two thirds of carers (66%) did not feel listened to about their willingness and ability to care by healthcare professionals. The majority of carers (61%) were not given enough information and advice to care safely and well after the person they care for is discharged from hospital. Most carers (60%) say they receive insufficient support to protect the health and wellbeing of the patient or their own health at the point of hospital discharge. The Government’s own impact assessment of the Bill recognises that some carers may be asked to take on additional hours of care that could mean they have to reduce their hours or give up work to care. It states: “Whilst we anticipate that in some situations carers may choose to, there is an expectation that unpaid carers might need to allocate more time to care for patients who are discharged from hospital earlier. For some, this could require a reduction in work hours and associated financial costs.”[2] The amendment, which is led by Baroness Pitkeathley, has cross-party support, from Lord Young, and Baroness Meacher.  It seeks to place a duty on the NHS Trust to ensure that carers are consulted and to check that they are willing and able to care, as well as ensuring that the patient is safe to discharge, not just “medically fit” to discharge, by putting the right support in place. An unpaid carer said about their experience of hospital discharge: “We discovered it (delayed discharge) when they were on hospital transport on the way home - no assessment, no provision of OT equipment or alternative care, literally had to drop everything to get a commode so they could go to the toilet when they got home. This was despite requesting clarity on discharge and how they would meet both carers’ needs two days previously.” Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said: “The removal of carers rights at hospital discharge marks the first time the Government is rowing back on the hard fought for rights for carers. It has the potential to increase the pressure on unpaid carers as well as increase the number of readmissions to hospital. “Government is suggesting that rights in primary legislation will be replaced by statutory guidance, but this is not the same as having concrete rights in legislation.  Two earlier versions of Discharge to Assess guidance failed to even mention carers and refer to the existing legislation that is being repealed.  “A patient’s care needs don’t just disappear once they have left hospital – their recovery and health in the longer term is in many cases dependent upon the day-to-day support of a family member at home. “Too often unpaid carers are being cast out of the hospital discharge process when their ongoing support is critical for the patient’s health. It risks patients having to be readmitted to hospital because the right support at home isn’t in place. We can see from carers’ evidence and stories, it can have a catastrophic effect on carers’ health, wellbeing, and work. “It is not just about the patient’s safety - unpaid carers must have the support services they need to be able to care safely for their relative or close friend.”   Baroness Pitkeathley, said: “If we want people to recover well at home after a hospital stay, it’s obvious that carers need to be involved in the hospital discharge process. Research from Carers UK and others has shown too many carers did not have the necessary information or contact details after the person they care for left hospital.  Having to provide more care impacts on their health, wellbeing, family, and many have to give up work to care. “This amendment is essential to ensure that carers, of all ages, including young carers, are not overlooked in the hospital discharge process and have concrete rights and recognition in legislation. “This is not the time to take away carers’ rights when we have relied on unpaid carers throughout the pandemic to take on more hours of care to support our health and care systems. Carers already feel invisible in this process when in fact they are partners in care and should be treated as such. “If the Health and Care Bill passes as is, it will be a major watering down of carers’ rights by the Government and a risk to patient safety.”   [1] Carers UK 2021 ‘Carers experiences of hospital discharge – Discharge to Assess [2] Health and Care Bill- Impact assessments for Adult Social Care Provisions (published 10.01.22)

The impact of caring on peoples’ physical and mental health across England remains high and is worse for those from some groups, according to the latest data analysis by Carers UK. [i] The findings are revealed in the report ‘Carers Health and experiences of primary care, the charity’s examination of unpaid carers’ responses to the 2021 GP Patient Survey. This annual research is commissioned independently by NHS England to identify patient experiences and general health. Of the 850,000 responses, nearly 1 in 5, (18%) have some unpaid caring responsibilities. [ii] The analysis found that: 60% of carers report a long-term health condition or disability compared to 50% of non-carers 70% of lesbian, gay, or bisexual carers report a long-term condition compared to 60% of straight carers [iii] Carers from some backgrounds were less likely to say the healthcare professional they saw recognised and understood any mental health needs they had. Whilst 86% of white carers said they felt they did, this dropped to 78% of black carers and 76% of Asian carers.[iv] 36% of lesbian, gay, or bisexual carers have a mental health condition compared with 13% of heterosexual carers – nearly treble the rate The findings build on the charity’s ongoing work to understand the adverse impact of the pandemic on unpaid carers. [v] At the height of the pandemic, Carers UK estimates that there were 13.6 million unpaid carers across the UK.[vi] As health and social care services closed and the need to care for family members, partners and close friends with disabilities and ill-health at home increased, millions more became unpaid carers overnight. Many services are yet to re-open. The charity’s Covid-19-specific research identified that almost three-quarters (72%) of carers have had no breaks at all since the first UK lockdown and 74% have said they are exhausted, as a result of caring. Carers’ health is known to be worse than that of non-carers due to the pressures of the role and is compounded by many factors, including providing more than 50 hours of care each week. Caring has been announced as being a social determinant of health recently by Public Health England. Of the 60% of carers who had a long-term condition, disability, or illness, almost two-thirds (64%) reported that their condition reduces their ability to carry out day-to-day activities. This shows that carers’ health and wellbeing is poorer than others and potentially affects their ability to care. Lesbian, gay, and bisexual carers were most likely to report a long-term health condition or disability; and of this group, Three-quarters (75%) stated that it affected their day-to-day life, in contrast to 62% of straight carers. Half (51%) of carers said they had avoided making a GP appointment in 2021 compared to 40% of non-carers. This rose to 61% of Asian carers and those from mixed ethnic backgrounds. Matthew McKenzie, Co-Chair of the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Carers Forum said: “This is a welcome, yet worrying, snapshot of the last year during such a stressful time for carers. That carers from some minority ethnic backgrounds are less likely to feel mental health concerns are understood by their GP, with some less likely to even make a doctor’s appointment, is evidence that better recognition and understanding is needed. It is clear carers from particular groups can face barriers to getting the support they need.” Feeling lonely or isolated is a common experience for carers, as a direct result of their caring role. The impact of isolation on health is wide-reaching, including increased risks of death, cognitive decline, dementia, coronary heart disease and stroke.[vii] The percentage of carers responding to the GP survey who said they felt isolated doubled from 2020-2021 from 9 to 18% and there was a sharp difference between some groups with 35% of lesbian, gay, and bisexual carers saying they have felt isolated in the last year compared with 17% of heterosexual carers. In terms of ethnicity, carers with a mixed ethnic background were more likely to report feeling isolated compared to other ethnic groups. Dave Williams, Co-Chair of the LGBTQ+ Carers Expert Advisory Group commented:  “This report makes for sober reading. It is clear the demands of caring significantly impact on carers’ physical, emotional, and mental health and the support carers need is sadly lacking. “For carers in the LGBTQ community, isolation is further amplified as family members can and often do perceive that a non-heterosexual relationship implies a greater degree of availability to undertake a caring role.  For some LGBTQ carers, the demand to become a carer can mean a return to family environments and the loss of the support of their social network in their community of identity. There is a significant lack of awareness and understanding of the impact of this in terms of social isolation.” Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK said: “Our analysis shows the impact of caring on carers’ long-term health and wellbeing. Throughout the pandemic many have had no choice but to take on more hours of care as they continue to experience reduced support. This is having an impact on their physical and mental health, with the number of those caring feeling isolated doubling in the last year. “Some carers are being even more impacted by the pressure of their role than others. Understanding how health inequalities affect carers and those from particular groups will be key to ensuring an equal recovery from the effects of the pandemic. “The NHS depends heavily on carers. Pre-pandemic, carers saved the economy £132 billion a year. During the pandemic, this rose to £193 billion, more than is spent each year on the NHS in England. The increase in the number of people caring and pressures on services, together with funding shortages, means it’s more important than ever that we seek to identify carers and support their health and wellbeing.” Carer’s UK is calling for: GP practices to identify carers quickly and makes services available, as soon as possible. Carers are still not routinely identified or supported by health and social care professionals and many are not aware of support available to help them look after their own health and wellbeing. GP practices need to be supported to speed up their identification of carers as early as possible. The government to introduce a duty on the NHS to have regard to carers and promote their health and wellbeing. This would help bring a more systematic approach to carers’ health. The GP survey to continue and include caring as a specific question. This is a key tool to improve knowledge and understanding of the health inequalities among marginalised groups. The full report can be found here

‘Caring for Derek’ an hour-long film and follow-up to last year’s ‘Finding Derek’ was aired on ITV on 22 February. It followed TV presenter and journalist Kate Garraway and her family after her husband Derek returned home having spent more than a year in hospital after contracting COVID. Responding to the ITV documentary ‘Caring for Derek’, Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK said: “We thank Kate for powerfully shining a light on the huge pressures experienced by millions of carers like her across the UK caring right now for partners and family members. “Caring is an extremely important part of our lives and holds families together. Most of us will become unpaid carers at some point for a loved one who is older, disabled or seriously ill. “Every day in the UK, 6000 more people become carers. That’s over 2 million of us every year. Many don’t know where to get help or support and it can be a very difficult and emotional experience. It can feel lonely, impacting on every aspect of life. 8 out of 10 carers have told us that they have felt lonely or socially isolated. “We are seeing unprecedented levels of queries from carers at the moment, because of the challenges of juggling work and care, finances getting tougher and care being under extreme pressure – as well as the pressures of the pandemic.  Programmes like ‘Caring for Derek’ are very important in raising awareness, make people think about their own situation and might help more start looking for help and identifying themselves as an unpaid carer. “On top of that, as Kate also showed, navigating the social care system can be overwhelming. Chronically underfunded, many carers feel they cannot get the support they need and have no alternative but to give up work to care. Carer’s Allowance is the main carer’s benefit and at just £67.60 a week is the lowest benefit of its kind. “Carers UK has called upon Government for an uplift and overhaul of carers’ benefits and has called on Government to increase the amount of social care funding, as what has already been announced as part of social care reform falls short of what families need now. “As Kate illustrates in such an honest way, looking after someone can be tough, but carers should know they’re not on their own. Carers UK is here to listen, to share expert information and advice depending on each situation, to support carers in finding new ways to manage at home and at work. ”

On 21st February, the Government published its ‘Living with COVID-19’ plan. Responding to the plan, Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK said: “Lifting all restrictions and phasing out free tests leaves carers in the lurch- with yet more costs. They are left with all of the responsibility but none of the protections they need to keep their family safe. “The idea that carers will have to pay for tests to keep their relative safe when they are providing essential care is extremely short sighted. If health and social care staff have free tests, why not unpaid carers when they often provide more care? Buying tests is not an option for carers on low incomes, especially when this is from Carer’s Allowance – the lowest benefit of its kind at just £67.60 per week.  “Recently, 31 per cent of carers told us they were struggling to make ends meet.[i] These extra costs will pile on the financial pressure and make it impossible for carers forced to choose between ‘heat or eat.’  Poorer families will not have the protection that others can afford – that’s levelling down for unpaid carers and their families.  “Carers yet again feel invisible and overlooked as the ‘Living with COVID’ plans have nothing in it to support them, or recognition of what they have done during the pandemic.  There is no recognition of the fact that 4.5 million more people took on unpaid care, £193 billion value of care has been provided in a year, and that carers have effectively propped up health and care services in protecting their relatives often at a cost to their own health, wellbeing and ability to do paid work. “For carers, this will be returning to the early pandemic as family members providing essential care will again have to make a judgement call about whether they are COVID- positive or not and whether they can provide essential care. With social care in very short supply, there’s no one to step in at short notice. We know that unpaid carers’ mental and physical health is at rock bottom. They are exhausted and this will add greater anxiety. “For some who are juggling work and caring, it’s an extreme blow if they are supporting family members who now feel that they must continue to shield. Some carers have told us they were extremely concerned about returning to the office without clear support in place.  Whilst many have flexibility, others do not." Carers UK is calling for: Free tests for unpaid carers to continue, along with free tests for the people they care for. Greater protection and understanding in the workplace so that carers can continue to work and feel confident they do not expose their relative to additional risk. Government to provide specific guidance for employers in relation to carers and people with specific conditions. Carers to be included in any future vaccination plans, alongside health and care workers, recognising that they provide the bulk of care. Clear recognition in the ‘Living With COVID’ plans of the essential role played by unpaid carers – treating them equally with NHS and social care staff.   [i] From Carers UK’s State of Caring 2021 report

The Chancellor, Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP, today set out the Government’s response to the cost of living crisis and rising energy bills, following the announcement this morning by Ofgem of a 54% increase to the energy price cap, which will on average see bills rise by £693 a year from April 2022.  

As energy prices soar and millions of households across the UK face increased fuel and household bills, unpaid carers are even less well placed to cope than many with additional costs, without urgent measures. The charity is calling for carers to be included in any extension of the Warm Home Discount scheme, additional support for carers with energy bills and action to help carers on Carer’s Allowance whose incomes are falling behind inflation. With inflation now at 5.4% (December 2021) and predicted to rise further by April, plus soaring energy bills, there is widespread concern around people’s finances.  Benefits are set to rise by 3.1% in line with CPI in September 2021 leaving a gap of 2.3% for people on the lowest incomes – essentially a real term cut in the value of their benefits. Carers often face higher bills – particularly energy bills – than the wider population when caring for someone frail or unwell and desperately need targeted support to ensure they can continue to pay their bills over the coming months. In our State of Caring 2021 report[i], published in November, 23% of unpaid carers said they did not have enough money to manage their monthly expenses. Many told us that they were anxious about covering even basic costs this winter. A further 18% said they are in or have been in debt because of caring in the past year, and 6% could not afford utility bills like electricity, gas, water, or telephone bills. These figures sharply rise to 44% of those providing more than 35 hours of care per week. More than a third of carers (36%) have told us their finances have got worse since the start of the pandemic. Of those carers who told us they are struggling to make ends meet, 13% have cut back on essentials like food and heating. For those in receipt of Carer’s Allowance, this picture is even bleaker: a fifth (20%) are having to cut back on essentials and 19% using credit cards or having to borrow from family and friends.  One carer told us: “Carer’s Allowance is so low that my teeth are starting to fall out because I can’t afford the dentist for me and my son. Energy prices are escalating – I dread my Winter fuel bill.”    Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said: “We are seeing unprecedented levels of stress and financial worries piled on unpaid carers. Many were already struggling to manage their monthly expenses and the increases in energy bills and cost of living could push them into financial difficulty. “It is absolutely vital that the Government acts urgently to ensure that carers are supported in the face of the UK’s cost of living crisis, and by any short-term intervention the Government makes, for example by extending the Warm Home Discount scheme. Steps must also be taken to address the longer-term financial insecurity carers face. “Without additional support, unpaid carers could be pushed into poverty that will have a lasting impact on their finances and quality of life. Carer’s Allowance is the lowest benefit of its kind and must be reviewed. The Earning Threshold of Carer’s Allowance must be increased to ensure that carers are able to choose to work and are protected from financial hardship.”   [i] State of Caring 2021

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 2021), Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK said:

The Government has today taken steps to ensure that unpaid carers can use a specific letter to identify themselves to gain priority for their booster jabs for COVID-19 along with paid care workers if there are long queues.  Carers UK has welcomed the fact that the Government has made unpaid carers part of the priority groups for vaccination.

Carers UK and Centrica are delighted to have won the prestigious award for 2021, in recognition of the significant achievements of an innovative three-year strategic partnership.

Carers UK is delighted to have been chosen by Bank of England employees as one of their charities of the year alongside Demelza Hospice Care for Children and WWF. The partnership starts now and ends in 2023.

Responding to the Government’s publication of its white paper on social care reform, Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK said: “We’re pleased that the Government has published its Social Care White Paper which sets out some important and long-awaited proposals to reform the system. Importantly, unpaid carers are included throughout the proposals and recognised as an equal partner in care.

The Government has announced the amount benefit rates will increase from 11 April 2022.  This includes the new earnings limit for Carer’s Allowance which has also been increased by CPI which we estimate would be from £128 to £132 per week. This is important but doesn’t wholly compensate for the rise in the National Living Wage. With the National Living Wage rate currently at £8.91 per hour, a carer can work for 14.36 hours per week and still retain Carer’s Allowance.   Although this £4 rise in the earnings limit is important, with the new National Living Wage rate at £9.50 per hour, carers working hours would have to fall below 14 hours – to 13.89 hours per week – in order to still retain Carer’s Allowance.

Responding to the ADASS findings published today: ‘Snap Survey reveals a rapidly deteriorating picture of Social Care Services,’ Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK said: “This latest research reflects the worsening picture of home care for older and disabled people and their carers and illustrates the need for immediate action. “Many carers tell us they are at breaking point, with rising levels of stress and anxiety. 72% have not had a break at all from caring since the start of the pandemic. They have been left with no choice but to pick up more care and support to keep their loved ones safe as services they have been able to rely on previously have been shut or have not re opened. Some families have been too worried about the vulnerability of those they care for to use some services.

72% of unpaid carers worry about juggling work and care 53% of working carers say returning to workplace will be more challenging 12% of working carers are at risk of reducing or giving up work if they are not allowed to work from home One in five carers at risk of reducing or giving up work without social care To coincide with Carers Rights Day, Carers UK today launched new research ‘Supporting carers at work: opportunity and imperative’ which showed that whilst some employers were more supportive of carers within their workplace, a significant proportion of carers were at risk of reducing their working hours or giving up work altogether if they did not get the right support measures in place.

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 which will see them gaining free access to a range of tools from 1 December 2021.

One in five unpaid carers are worried they may not cope financially over the next 12 months One in four carers (23%) may not have enough money to cover their monthly expenses Carers spend an estimated £1,370 a year on average on services or equipment for the person they care for Over half of carers (52%) feel anxious or stressed about their finances

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 13% of carers confident they would get support they need in the next 12 months Six in 10 (62%) worried services will be reduced and nearly half (47%) worried about losing access to voluntary sector services because of funding cuts One in five unpaid carers who work would reduce working hours or would be at risk of giving up work altogether if they cannot access affordable and accessible care

Plans for boosters for unpaid carers published yesterday

The Government has set out new proposals to make the right to request flexible working a day one entitlement for every employee in Britain.   It will also introduce a day one right to one-week’s unpaid leave for carers balancing a job with caring responsibilities.   

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has today issued its advice on those eligible for the Covid-19 booster vaccine. The JCVI list includes unpaid adult carers as part of the groups who will be part of the booster programme.

The Department of Health and Social Care has announced the launch of a new Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) on 1st October 2021, to be co-led by Dr Jeanelle de Gruchy and Jonathan Marron. The Office will bring together expert advice, data and evidence to tackle health disparities across the UK and work with other government departments on the wider social determinants of health from employment to housing. Earlier this year, caring was identified as a social determinant of health by Public Health England and evidence from the 2021 GP Patient Survey shows that health inequalities for carers are exacerbated if they are also part of a marginalised group.

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 loved one to leave hospital The majority (61%) were not given enough information and advice to care safely Health and Care Bill before Parliament sees carers’ rights to support watered down New research from national charity Carers UK shows the NHS Discharge to Assess model, which sees patients’ ongoing care needs assessed only after they have left hospital, is failing to include family carers in the discharge process and putting patients’ health at risk. A survey by the charity of nearly 2,000 people in England providing high levels of unpaid care for older, disabled or seriously ill relatives found a quarter (25%) had experienced hospital discharge. It found that the majority were not involved, consulted or given the right information to care safely when their loved ones were discharged from hospital. The research reveals the devastating impact on carers left unsupported and floundering to meet the changed needs of relatives coming out of hospital, taking on unacceptable levels of care which in some cases were unsafe. The key findings of the research show: More than half of carers (56%) providing significant care were not involved in decisions about hospital discharge Two thirds (66%) did not feel listened to about their willingness and ability to care A majority (61%) were not given enough information and advice to care safely and well Most carers (60%) said insufficient support was provided to protect the health and wellbeing of the patient or their own health 82% of respondents said they had not received a carer’s assessment.

Carers UK and Carers Trust are pleased to be continuing their roles as members of the Health and Wellbeing Alliance, set up by the Government, to ensure the lived experiences of unpaid carers and the services that support them are reflected in its development of health and care policy. The Government’s relaunch of the Health and Wellbeing Alliance will see the charities working with the Department of Health and Social Care, NHS England and Improvement and Public Health England to support collaborative working between the statutory and voluntary, community and social enterprise sectors to improve the health and wellbeing of carers. Carers UK and Carers Trust – as the Carers Partnership - will remain members of the Alliance for the next three years, working together to bring carers’ voices and experiences into national policy development and delivery, as well as supporting better practice locally.

The national charity Carers UK and not-for-profit campaign Smart Energy GB are excited to be working together to raise awareness of smart meters amongst unpaid carers in Britain. Described as the next generation of gas and electricity meters, they are designed to help consumers take control of and manage their energy use at home. They have the potential to make life easier for time-pressed family members and friends caring for older, disabled or seriously ill relatives. Unlike traditional energy meters, smart meters automatically send gas and electricity readings to energy suppliers via a secure network. They provide accurate rather than estimated billing costs for energy that has been used, and have in-home displays to help people keep track of their energy usage. Upgrading outdated analogue meters to smart meters could save carers time and energy they may normally spend taking meter readings every month, or on the phone to their energy supplier to talk about unexpected bills. The in-home display can also help make it more simple for carers to keep an eye on energy spending habits. Previous research published by Carers UK earlier this year shows unpaid carers find it challenging helping to manage their loved one’s affairs on top of providing many hours of physical and emotional support.

Today (Wednesday 14th 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 system less bureaucratic, more accountable and more integrated following the COVID-19 pandemic.

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 pandemic, aims to give patients more control of their health data and enables staff to make quicker, informed decisions to deliver better treatment.

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

New data issued by the ONS today (Friday 11th June 2021) during Carers Week shows that carers have been more greatly affected by the pandemic compared with the general public. Compared to non-carers, more carers say the following aspects of their lives have been affected: their work is affected (30% compared to 26%), life events (44% compared to 40%), household finances (18% compared to 15%), access to groceries, medication and essentials (15% of carers compared to 10% for non-carers).  Most stark is the impact on unpaid carers’ access to healthcare and treatment for non-COVID-19 issues – 30% of carers said this was impacted compared to 20% of non-carers. Carers were also more likely to have met someone in a support bubble – 31% of carers did this compared to 20% of non-carers. This shows how important this measure, which was only introduced for carers of adults towards the end of last year, has been. The ONS survey was carried out between 31 March 2021 and 21 April 2021 when the “rule of 6” outside was in place in England and “stay local” restrictions were in place in other nations.

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has announced the five projects that will share £23 million in funding from it's healthy ageing challenge. Carers UK will be involved in the Tribe project, led by Bronze Labs, which will use technology to address national care inequality at the local level. This comprises a digital platform that can both map and predict care ‘dark patches’ where home care provision is failing. It will also recruit and upskill people in areas of low economic activity and high public service demand so they can create micro businesses to provide care.

More than a third (35%) of people caring unpaid for family members or friends feel unable to manage their caring role 72% of carers have not had any breaks from their caring role during the pandemic Carers Week charities call on Government to give back to carers and fund breaks

Charity Carers UK launches blueprint to help companies and services support millions of customers with caring responsibilities Suite of resources for carers to help manage services and put in place Power of Attorney

The UK charity supporting people caring unpaid for older, disabled and seriously ill relatives and friends has set out an ambitious direction of travel to make life better for unpaid carers in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 crisis has had a disproportionate impact on carers, with the majority providing many more hours of care at home with limited practical support. Caring through the pandemic has taken a significant toll on carers’ health and financial stability as they have struggled to access services and take the breaks from caring they needed.   The strategy, Vision 2025, sets out the charity’s three main goals for the next five years: to create a society that requires carers to be treated equally in all aspects of their lives to connect carers so that no one has to care alone to halve the time it takes for carers to recognise themselves as carers and get the support they need. Adapting to the challenges presented by the pandemic, Carers UK’s strategic plan is ambitious in its aims for carers but also encompasses flexibility to ensure it can continue to support them during a turbulent period. The charity’s focus will be split over three core pillars: Equality, Support and Recognition for carers, which will be underpinned by measuring impact and generating income.

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 UK employers to identify and support increasing number of unpaid carers in their workforces A ground-breaking question in the most recent NHS’ staff survey has found that one in three of the health service’s employees is also an unpaid carer. The NHS is the biggest employer in Europe with over 1.2 million staff. This new finding suggests that more than 400,000 of its workers are juggling their job with an unpaid caring role for a relative or friend who is older, disabled or seriously ill. National charity Carers UK is highlighting the increasing number of workers with unpaid caring responsibilities and the need for employers to support them to stay in work. Previous polling by the charity carried out in 2019 found 1 in 5 of the NHS workforce was also an unpaid carer. The survey result shows there are far more staff providing unpaid care than previously thought. Further research undertaken for Carers Week 2020 indicated that at the height of the pandemic as many as 2.8 million additional workers in the UK took on a new caring role for a loved one.

In response to the national vaccine supply profile over April, NHS England has made changes to the National Booking System as of today, 1st April. The self-elective routes currently available to carers who are unknown to the health and care systems will no longer be available. Instead, carers who are eligible and haven’t been called forward are being asked to contact their GP practice to be assessed and registered as a carer, and subsequently will be offered a Covid-19 vaccination.

Today Public Health England published a new report ‘Caring as a social determinant of health: Findings from a rapid review of reviews and analysis of the GP Patient Survey’. The report finds that carers are at increased risk of illness, and specifically musculoskeletal conditions, cardiovascular disease, generalised cognitive deterioration and function, and poor sleep. The report also finds that carers struggle to access services and are at risk of financial hardship.

The Department for Health and Social Care has announced further funding for social care during the pandemic. This announcement included £341 million to support adult social care services with the costs of infection prevention, control and testing. A further £138.7 million was announced for rapid testing in adult social care settings from existing Test and Trace funding.

On Tuesday 16th March 2021 Health and Social Care Secretary of State, Matt Hancock MP, answered questions about the Government’s proposed Health and Care Bill and the recently published health and care white paper. Parliamentary Select Committee member Barbara Keeley MP asked what steps the Government would be taking in the legislation to strengthen the rights of unpaid carers, and ensure they start to be included in health and care planning. The Health and Social Care Secretary said this was an important point and welcomed the opportunity to work on it together.

Unpaid carers who are not known to health and care services and therefore have not been called forward for the COVID-19 vaccine now have a route to check whether they are eligible and apply for a vaccination appointment. Unpaid carers are currently being called forward for their first COVID-19 vaccinations as part of cohort six in the national vaccine roll-out. Eligible carers for the vaccine include those who are eligible for a carer’s allowance, are identified as a primary carer by their GP, or are receiving support following a Carer’s Assessment by their local council or from a local carer’s organisation. These carers known to Government and health and care services are already being contacted about booking an appointment. Now, a route for unpaid carers over the age of 18 who are not in contact with formal services has been set up for them to check whether they are eligible for an appointment and book a vaccination. The national charity Carers UK is encouraging carers to check their eligibility and contact the National Booking Service at www.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination, or by ringing 119, to complete a short application process to determine if they are eligible to book their vaccination appointment.

Today NHS England has published its Standard Operating Procedure for deploying the COVID-19 vaccine to unpaid carers in England. Unpaid carers are included in cohort six of the JCVI’s vaccine priority list and are now in the process of being called forward for their first vaccinations. The Standard Operating Procedure explains in detail the process by which unpaid carers will be called for their vaccination, as well as making provision for those unpaid carers who may not already be known to the health and social care systems to come forward.  The Government has recognised that the lists currently held will not identify all eligible unpaid carers and they will provide information on the application process for unknown unpaid carers to come forward in the coming week.

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 address the loneliness experienced by eight in ten unpaid carers

Carers UK was sad to learn that former Labour MP, historian and Vice President of Carers UK Dr Hywel Francis died in hospital on Sunday. He was the MP for Aberavon for 14 years until he stood down at the 2015 general election and did much to further the rights of unpaid carers. Hywel successfully introduced the Carers Equal Opportunities Act in 2004, recognising that carers need "a life beyond their caring responsibilities”. This important piece of legislation dictates that carers should receive adequate personal support and information about their entitlements from local authorities. Hywel said the legislation was about valuing carers and their role and “not hiding them away”. While going through Parliament this legislation was called Sam’s Bill, in memory of Hywel’s disabled son Sam who had Down’s Syndrome and died in 1997.

As of tomorrow (Monday 15th February), unpaid carers will be included in the next phase of the roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccine and will begin to be called forward for their first jab. Unpaid carers are in cohort six of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation’s priority list for the vaccination. Unpaid carers are defined by the JCVI as “those in receipt of a carer’s allowance, or those who are the main carer of an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if the carer falls ill”. Carers UK welcomes the news that unpaid carers will be called forward in this next phase after the national charity led calls for them to be included in the JCVI priority list when they were left out of previous announcements. These calls saw the JCVI include unpaid carers clearly in cohort six on 30th December 2020. The JCVI recognised that where the main carer for an older or disabled person falls ill with COVID-19, the welfare of the person they care for would be at serious risk.

The Government has today published its legislative proposals for a new Health and Care Bill that aims to improve the delivery of public health and social care. It aims to support local health and care systems to deliver care in a way that is less legally bureaucratic and more joined up. The Government has promised to bring forward proposals for reform of adult social care later this year. There is currently no explicit mention of unpaid carers in the white paper proposals for the Bill, although it talks about people’s services and their families.  

Carer’s Allowance due to increase by paltry 35p a week Carers UK delivers a letter from 5,000 carers calling on the Chancellor to acknowledge unpaid carers’ contribution throughout the crisis

On 11th January 2021 the Government set out how it plans to deploy its supply of COVID-19 vaccines in its Vaccines Delivery Plan, a huge task undertaken at unprecedented speed.   Previously on 30th December, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) placed unpaid carers in group six of the priority list for the COVID-19 vaccine which Carers UK welcomed, as previous priority lists had not included carers. However, the delivery plan does not include this reference to carers in priority six, which should be clearly included.  

On Monday 4th January 2021 the Prime Minister announced that there would be a third national lockdown in England starting on Wednesday 6th January. The regulations allow unpaid carers to continue providing essential care. A family member or friend can also do this to provide respite care for someone who is caring. The Prime Minister also advised people who are clinically extremely vulnerable to start shielding again.

Carers UK has welcomed the inclusion of unpaid carers in the publication of new COVID vaccination advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) published yesterday (30.12.2020).  This advice recommends that carers who are in receipt of Carer’s Allowance or are the main carer of  an elderly or disabled person whose welfare may be at risk if the carer contracted COVID should be included in Priority 6 alongside people with underlying  conditions. 

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 under-represented groups of unpaid carers who have been most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic

In its advice published today, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation has not included unpaid carers - people caring for older, disabled and seriously ill relatives - in its priority list for the COVID-19 vaccine. The priority groups are as follows: 1: Residents in a care home for older adults and their carers (here they refer to care workers) 2: All those 80 years of age and over Frontline health and social care workers 3: All those 75 years of age and over 4: All those 70 years of age and over Clinically extremely vulnerable individuals* 5: All those 65 years of age and over 6: All individuals aged 16 years to 64 years with underlying health conditions which put them at higher risk of serious disease and mortality 7: All those 60 years of age and over 8: All those 55 years of age and over 9: All those 50 years of age and over

On 2nd December new restrictions will come into force across England, with regions split into three tiers. As in the previous tier system and throughout the second national lockdown, unpaid carers can continue to provide essential care. Support groups for unpaid carers can also continue in all three tiers. The regulations allow carers in all three tiers to arrange for another family member or friend to provide respite care so that they can take a break. Furthermore, the new regulations allow people caring for someone with a disability at home to form a support bubble with another household, a “linked household”. If they are just one adult caring for someone with a disability they can form a support bubble. If a carer has a child under 5 with a disability then even if there is more than one adult in the household they can form a support bubble.

Carers UK is renewing its calls for the UK Government to prioritise unpaid carers for the COVID-19 vaccine, after the Scottish Government announced it would do last week. When Carers UK asked carers in October what support they needed most, carers ranked their prioritised access to vaccinations highly at second place, even putting this above breaks and increases in benefits such as Carer’s Allowance. Caring during the pandemic has been one of the hardest things carers say they have done, as they have tried to manage with limited support from services that have been reduced or closed entirely. They have spent nine months worrying about the risk of infection to the people they care for with complex health or care conditions, and this has taken its toll on their own health. Carers UK has raised the issue of prioritised access to the COVID-19 vaccination with the Minister for Care and it was a recommendation from the Carers Advisory Group to the Adult Social Care Taskforce. It was also a key recommendation in our recent Caring Behind Closed Doors: Six Months On report, published in October. We want to see carers prioritised for the COVID-19 vaccination for the same reasons they are recognised as a key worker during this pandemic, and are prioritised for the flu jab.  The Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) recognised that if carers got the flu, then this could be catastrophic, impacting carers’ ability to care and putting the person they care for at risk. When unpaid carers cannot continue to carry out care, this places additional pressure on social care and health services.  We want the same logic applied to the COVID-19 vaccination. Last week, the Health Secretary in Scotland announced that unpaid carers would be on the priority list for the COVID-19 vaccination. Carers Scotland and Carers UK has warmly welcomed this move, but we are now calling on the other three Governments to follow suit and value carers.

Care provided by families valued at £135 billion over course of the pandemic so far Carers UK calls on Government to recognise contribution of millions of carers and protect their health and wellbeing

In the Chancellor's one year Spending Review today, he promised the following for adult social care: Local authorities will be able to increase their council tax bills by 2 per cent without needing to hold a referendum, and social care authorities will be able to charge an additional 3 per cent precept to help fund pressures in social care.  This funding is additional to the £1 billion social care grant announced last year which is being maintained. The government expects to provide local authorities with over £3 billion to address Covid-19 pressures, including in adult social care.

In a survey of more than 100 councils by the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS), many are reporting unprecedented demand for help. 82% of adult social services directors report rising demand for help from people being discharged from hospital; 69% report an increase in cases of domestic abuse and safeguarding of vulnerable adults; 63% report growing numbers of people seeking help because of the breakdown of unpaid carer arrangements through sickness or unavailability. ADASS is warning that unless adult social care is prioritised in the government spending review on Wednesday, millions of people could be at risk of receiving no care or support as the crisis continues.

Research by the charity finds 45% of unpaid carers identified by their GP were not directed towards having a flu jab last winter Those age 50-64 and caring for fewer hours, or newer to caring, were least likely to be directed towards having a flu jab Carers UK highlights need for targeted campaign to encourage carers aged 50-64 to get their flu jab

The Department for Work and Pensions has announced that it would continue to extend easements for Carer’s Allowance. This means Carer’s Allowance will continue to be paid to carers if they are self-isolating due to coronavirus and those providing emotional support will remain eligible. The extension is in place until May 2021.

Carers UK is delighted to announce that it has been chosen by the Telegraph as one of the charities it is supporting through its 2020 Charity Christmas Appeal. From today, 7th November, through to January 2021 the charity will be working closely with the Telegraph to raise awareness of caring and the challenges faced by unpaid carers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The campaign will help draw attention to the issues affecting many of the 13.6 million people in the UK currently caring for a loved one, as well as the significant impact COVID -19 has had on carers health, wellbeing, relationships and finances. Research carried out by Carers UK this year found 81% of unpaid carers with significant caring responsibilities are providing even more care for loved ones than before the pandemic, with 64% having been unable to take any breaks whatsoever since the first national lockdown. Two thirds are worried about how they will continue to manage over winter. The charity also hopes to help many thousands of people who do not currently identify as a carer better recognise their caring role so that they can get the practical and emotional support they need. Carers UK hopes to use the money raised through the Telegraph’s Christmas Appeal to extend its support services for carers, including its helpline which has seen a huge surge in demand since the pandemic started, and to train volunteers to support carers who are struggling to manage at the moment.

The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services has today recommended that the Government provide £480 million to ensure that older people and working-age disabled adults continue to receive the care and support they need in their homes over the winter. It has also called on the Government to deliver a further £1.2 billion to ensure that unpaid family carers get the breaks they need over the coming months, to enable them to continue providing vital, life-saving care and support.  

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 amplify their previous call on the Government to recognise the financial impact COVID-19 continues to have on people caring round the clock for family members and friends. Today, 3rd November, marks four months since the organisations first urged the Work and Pensions Secretary to recognise the financial difficulties unpaid carers are facing during the pandemic and introduce a supplement to Carer’s Allowance. Despite the huge contribution being made by unpaid carers every day of the pandemic, with many having been unable to take a single break for months or return to work due to reduced care and support services, the Government has not acknowledged or responded to the letter, sent on 3rd July, which was signed by 92 leading national and local organisations who provide vital support for carers and their families, and who can see first-hand the challenges that they are facing. Now, providing extraordinary hours of care each week and in many cases not being able to earn, a significant proportion of carers face further financial hardship over the coming winter. Research by Carers UK, released a fortnight ago, shows well over a third (36%) of carers receiving Carer’s Allowance - just £67.25 a week for 35 hours or more of care - are struggling to make ends meet, with 15% having been in debt because of caring. Earlier research with the Universities of Sheffield and Birmingham found more than 100,000 unpaid carers in the UK have had to rely on food banks during the pandemic. During the lockdown 81% of carers said they are spending more money during the coronavirus outbreak – as they face rising costs include higher domestic bills, paying for additional care and support services, buying equipment to adapt homes, and purchasing technology to help with caring. To help alleviate some of the financial hardship experienced by so many, the 75 organisations are calling for the Government to urgently act by: Introducing an additional supplement to Carer’s Allowance, to match the recent £20 increase in Universal Credit that rightly recognises the challenges for people on lower incomes of meeting additional costs thrown up by the pandemic. They are also calling for accompanying rises to Carer Premium and Carer Addition, and for this payment to be made to carers with an underlying entitlement to Carer’s Allowance, so older carers on low incomes can also benefit. These payments should be backdated to recognise the lengths carers have gone to in supporting and caring for others during the crisis. Raising the earnings limit for claiming Carer’s Allowance, to ensure those juggling work and care on low pay also receive financial support. The current earnings threshold, just £128 a week, does not align with the National Living Wage (NLW), meaning a carer can only work for less than 15 hours per week without losing their eligibility to Carer’s Allowance. The earnings limit should be raised to at least £139.52 for 2020/21 and should be linked to the National Living Wage in future years.

On Saturday 31st October the Prime Minister announced that there would be a second national lockdown in England starting on Thursday 5th November, after Parliament had debated the specific measures.

On 31st October, the Government announced it will be introducing new national lockdown restrictions to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, that will come into force on Thursday 5th November, if passed by Parliament. As the Government finalises the regulations for the new lockdown period,  is it essential that the default position it takes within those regulations is that care homes remain open for visits for family and friends who are caring for residents, both now and in the future.

The Health and Social Care Committee has released a report, Social Care: Funding and Workforce, which calls for an immediate increase in investment to avoid the risk of market collapse. The Committee has called for a £7bn annual increase in social care funding, adding that this figure would not address the growing problem of unmet need nor improve access to care, with the full cost of adequate funding likely to run to tens of billions of pounds.

Four in five unpaid carers providing more care for relatives 78% reported that the needs of the person they care for have increased during the pandemic Two thirds (67%) worried about how they will cope through further lockdowns or local restrictions Carers UK calls on Government to help reinstate crucial support services as soon as possible, and implement a New Deal for Carers

In its annual assessment of the state of health and social care in England, the Care Quality Commission looked at the quality of health and care both before the Covid-19 outbreak, and during the pandemic. On social care, its assessment was: COVID-19 has not only exposed but exacerbated existing problems. The sector, already fragile, faced significant challenges around access to PPE, testing and staffing – and coordinated support was less readily available than for the NHS. The long-standing need for reform, investment and workforce planning in adult social care has been thrown into stark relief by the pandemic.

Today (Monday 12th October 2020) the Prime Minister announced a three tier system (medium, high and very high risk) of restrictions to manage the spread of Covid-19. The majority of areas in England are in the medium risk category, meaning they have to adhere to the rule of 6 indoors and outdoors, and pubs and restaurants must close by 10pm. Most areas that had additional measures in place will be moved to tier 2 (high risk), as well as Nottinghamshire, east and west Cheshire and High Peak. In tier 2 areas no household mixing is allowed inside but the rule of six applies outside the home. In tier 3 (very high risk) no household mixing is allowed inside or outside, and pubs, bars and gyms will be closed. The exact measures will be negotiated with local leaders.

In new guidance the Government has clarified how the Infection Control Fund can be used flexibly through the winter to limit the spread of Covid-19 in care settings. The guidance clarifies that local authorities have a discretion to use 20% of their Infection Control Funding money for a variety of purposes to ensure infection control. This includes the resumption of services by care providers, support for carers’ organisations and the voluntary sector. Services have only partially reopened in recent months because of infection control measures and they are supporting a limited number of people and carers, meaning that six months on from the outbreak some carers are still not getting support they really need.  Some services have not reopened at all. 

British lifestyle brand FatFace has launched a range of face coverings in a bid to support unpaid carers and raise awareness of their role through the pandemic. It is donating 100% of the proceeds from its face coverings – now mandatory in all shops - to Carers UK, the national charity supporting unpaid carers looking after family and friends who are older, disabled or seriously ill.

The Government has announced that as of today, Tuesday 22nd September, unpaid carers will be exempt from interhousehold mixing restrictions in local areas of intervention. Unpaid carers will be able to form care bubbles in areas of intervention or “lockdown” to allow families to share caring responsibilities with another household.

The Government has published an adult social care winter plan, which aims to curb the spread of coronavirus infections in care settings throughout the winter months. The key measures include: The continuation of the Infection Control Fund, with additional funding of £546 million for the winter months Free personal protective equipment (PPE) for people receiving adult social care and care workers A Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care to be appointed to provide leadership to the social care nursing workforce Care providers to stop all but essential movement of staff between care homes to prevent the spread of infection A new dashboard that will monitor care home infections and help local government and providers respond quicker For carers, the Government has recommended that local authorities: Make sure carers know what support is available to them and who to contact if they need help Ensure that assessments are updated to reflect any additional needs created by COVID-19 of both carers and those in need of social care Work with services that may have closed, over the pandemic, to consider how they can reopen safely or be reconfigured to work in a COVID-19 secure way and consider using the Infection Control Fund to put in place infection prevention and control measures to support the resumption of services Where people who use social care services can no longer access the day care or respite services that they used before the pandemic, work with them to identify alternative arrangements that meet their identified needs Alongside this it has also published the Adult Social Care COVID-19 Support Taskforce report. Our Director of Policy and Public Affairs, Emily Holzhausen, co-chaired the Carers Advisory Group which fed into the taskforce’s recommendations.

The Alzheimer’s Society has published a report on the provision of respite care and carer’s assessments for people affected by dementia. It looks closely at carers’ access to breaks and the barriers to getting them. The key findings show: There is a lack of dementia-appropriate services available for carers of people living with dementia to access when they need a short break The shortage of appropriate respite places and care providers, and the difference in views between the carer and person receiving care as to whether they access the support, adds further to the stress of trying to get a break Only a minority of carers have received a Carer’s Assessment, which they are entitled to by law if they are providing significant hours of care Of those carers that have received an assessment, their experiences are mixed. Some carers reported that assessments can feel impersonal, providing telephone assessments and difficult conversations being managed badly as examples. It was reported that face-to-face assessments provided a more positive experience. Few participants reported feeling as though their wishes around work and personal life were taken into consideration, with reports of carers feeling a loss of identity and seen as a carer rather than an individual. Carers also reported wanting more guidance on the support that is available.

Continual failure to tackle social care reform now impacting wider workforce in England 7 million people juggling work and unpaid care through Covid-19 pandemic Carers UK and employers call on Government to take action on social care to help keep jobs and boost the economy

New evidence shows carers couldn’t access medical treatment or care services they needed during Covid-19 lockdown. Two months on services providing breaks are still closed, causing carers’ mental and physical health to continue to crumble. Carers UK calls on Government, health and social care authorities to implement a new deal for carers that prioritises them during the Covid-19 recovery period

From Saturday 1st August the Government will no longer be advising those on its Shielded Patient List to shield. People who have been shielding and their carers who have been shielding with them have been asked to return to work, children can return to school and this group can now go outside for exercise, go to the supermarket or places of worship, whilst maintaining strict social distancing. The National Shielding Service will no longer deliver food parcels or medicines, however NHS responders will continue to deliver food that has been bought and individual prescriptions. As the easing of these shielding restrictions come into force, Carers UK is urging Government to ensure that the needs of unpaid carers aren’t forgotten.

Carers UK has published a Recovery Plan for carers, a list of recommendations that prioritise and support unpaid carers as restrictions are eased and the risk of Covid-19 is managed by society over the next 12 months. The purpose of this Recovery Plan is to ensure that there is a clear vision across Government, the NHS, local authorities, organisations providing services to carers, businesses and employers that fully considers the needs of carers and the people they care for during this transition period. The risk of Covid-19 infection is still causing great anxiety for carers, and some have been caring for months without a break or any outside support. With a significant number of care and support services still closed, and carers trying to manage their caring roles with returning to work, it is vital that they are properly supported with their health, wellbeing, work and finances.

The Government has announced that it is expanding its flu jab programme this winter, to ready the NHS for the risk of a second peak of coronavirus cases and to relieve winter pressures on A+E and emergency care. Households with people on the Shielded Patient List are eligible for free flu vaccination, as well as people aged 50 - 64 who will be able to have one later in the year. There will also be a school programme expanded to the first year of secondary schools.

The Office for National Statistics has released new data on the impact of Covid-19 on caring. The findings show: Almost half (48%) of UK adults report providing help or support to someone outside of their household during April 2020. This contrasts with pre-pandemic findings of 11% of adults providing some regular support or help for an elderly, disabled or ill person living outside their household. Of adults who reported providing help in April 2020, 32% were helping someone who they did not help before the pandemic and 33% reported giving more help to people they helped previously. Shopping was the most common activity that people undertook as part of their caring responsibilities (85%). Other support including cooking meals, helping with internet access and helping with tasks like paying bills. Those aged 45 to 54 were the most likely group to provide support - 60% of this age group reported doing this. Women were more likely than men to provide support, as were those with dependent children

In a Statement made in Parliament today, the Chancellor laid out the Government’s financial commitments as Covid-19 restrictions are eased. Government’s financial support through the furlough scheme is due to be reduced on 1st August 2020.

Carers UK and 91 organisations representing unpaid carers, older people, disabled adults and children have joined together to call on the Work and Pensions Secretary to recognise the financial impact Covid-19 has had on people caring round the clock for family members and friends. The open letter, sent today to the Work and Pensions Secretary, Rt Hon Therese Coffey MP, and Chancellor, Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP, calls for better financial support for unpaid carers who have faced rising costs during the pandemic.

Carers UK is delighted to announce that Nick Baird CMG CVO has been appointed chair elect of the national charity supporting unpaid carers. Nick Baird will begin his role in October 2020, taking over from Professor David Grayson CBE who has served in the role since 2012.

The CIPD and University of Sheffield have released research today showing that a quarter of workers with caring responsibilites for someone who is older, disabled or seriously ill have considered giving up their job entirely, with many struggling to balance their caring role without employer support.  The research found that 30% of working carers had reduced the hours they work because of their caring role and 36% had refused a job offer or promotion, or decided against applying for a job, because of their caring responsibilities. 28% hadn’t talked to anyone at work about their caring responsibilities. Among them, 39% said this was because they did not believe anything would change. Carers UK has long been campaigning for working carers to be given a right to at least five days of paid care leave, something the Government is currently consulting on.

The Government has announced that, from Monday 6th July, the 2.2 million people shielding from coronavirus can gather in groups of up to six people outdoors and form a ‘support bubble’ with another household. From Saturday 1st August the guidance will then be relaxed so clinically extremely vulnerable people will no longer be advised to shield.

Responding to the ADASS 2020 budget survey report out today, Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said, “We are deeply worried by the findings from the ADASS budget survey that the costs of responding to the pandemic are likely to far outweigh the money that Government has already allocated to them, leaving a gaping hole in social care finances.

More than 100,000 people caring unpaid for older or disabled relatives using food banks to get by Almost 229,000 unpaid carers have had someone in their household go hungry during lockdown Figures paint a worrying picture of unpaid carers under intolerable pressure

The Association of Directors of Adults Social Services (ADASS) has today published a survey on the response in adult social care to the Coronavirus pandemic. Amongst other things, the survey found that 53% of Directors of Adult Social Services have seen an increase in people presenting to their council with adult social care needs as a result of carer breakdown, sickness or unavailability. 87% of Directors said they are not at all/not confident about an adequate supply of/ability to access testing for unpaid carers.

Sir Ed Davey MP will today introduce a Bill in the House of Commons to give unpaid carers more rights to flexible working, helping them balance employment with caring responsibilities. The Equality Act 2010 currently requires employers to make ‘reasonable adjustments’ for people with disabilities to help them work, which can include physical adjustments as well as adjustments like a more flexible approach to working. Ed Davey’s Bill today would extend that requirement to include carers who are looking after disabled people. The introduction of the Bill coincides with the Wednesday in Carers Week, the day the campaign focuses on carers’ employment.

The Scottish Government has today announced that it is proposing an additional £19.2 million investment in the Carer's Allowance Supplement. If approved by parliament, around 83,000 eligible carers in Scotland will get an extra £230.10 through a special one-off Coronavirus Carer's Allowance Supplement in June.

As of 4th May 2020, the Government has included unpaid carers in its latest list of essential workers and those prioritised for Covid-19 testing in England.

Last night (Tuesday 28th April) the Government announced that everyone in England aged 65 and over with coronavirus symptoms can now get tested, along with symptomatic members of their households. It said symptomatic workers who are unable to work from home are also eligible for testing. Testing of all asymptomatic NHS and social care staff and care home residents is being rolled out.  

Reduced or closed care services mean family members are picking up even more care for older, sick or disabled relatives Carers tell charity they feel ‘overwhelmed’ and are at risk of burning out Carers UK calls for Government recognition of unpaid carers’ efforts during pandemic and increase to Carer’s Allowance

The Government has this evening (Wednesday 15th April) published a plan for adult social care in response to Covid-19. The plan will see more testing of social care staff and increase the sector’s supply of personal protective equipment. Tens of thousands more staff will be recruited to the profession, and workers in the sector will be given a ‘care’ badge so that they can identify themselves as frontline workers in this epidemic. Furthermore, the Government has agreed to work with Public Health England and the care sector to give people the right to say goodbye to loved ones who pass away.

The Government has today (Wednesday 15th April) committed to offering Covid-19 testing for everyone who needs one in social care settings. That includes all social care staff who need a test, all symptomatic care home residents, and all patients being discharged from hospital and going into care homes.

On 4th April 2020 the Government issued guidance on furloughing workers via the Job Retention Scheme, which sees UK workers on PAYE payroll receive at least 80% of their salary if they are not able to work during the height of the coronavirus outbreak. Furloughing applies only if the employer’s operations have been severely affected by coronavirus, and where the person cannot work from home or flexibly. The guidance specifically states that if someone is unable to work because they are with someone who is shielding, and they cannot work from home or flexibly, then they can be furloughed and employers can claim for them, provided they meet the other eligibility criteria. It also explicitly states that furloughing applies to people with caring responsibilities as well. Although the examples used in the guidance refer only to parents, furloughing also includes carers who are looking after someone who depends on them for support – similar to the definition of carer under the 1998 Employment Act.

The Government last night (Tuesday 31st March) published guidance for local authorities on how they should use the new Care Act easements, created under the Coronavirus Act 2020. The new Care Act easements mean that where local authorities have to re-prioritise their resources to respond to coronavirus, their duty to carry out full needs assessments of unpaid carers, and those needing care, does not apply if: their workforce is significantly depleted, or the demand on social care increases to an extent that it is no longer reasonable practicable for the local authority to comply with its Care Act duties. Should local authorities choose to “switch on” these easements, there will also be a reduction in the number of carer support plans, and care and support plans for those in need of care, being carried out. Families won’t have to undergo financial assessments when requesting care during this period, but the assessments and charges can be back-dated.

To help unpaid carers during the Coronavirus outbreak, the Government has introduced a new aspect to the eligibility criteria for claiming Carer’s Allowance, the main benefit for people caring 35 hours or more per week. The new regulations, which come into force today (Monday 30th March 2020), allow unpaid carers in England and Wales to continue to claim Carer’s Allowance if they have a temporary break in caring, because they or the person they care for gets coronavirus or if they have to isolate because of it. The Government has also confirmed that providing emotional support counts towards the Carer’s Allowance threshold of 35 hours of care a week – an issue which has been concerning many carers. The measures will be reviewed in six months’ time.

The Government has introduced an emergency draft Bill to help the NHS and local authorities better tackle the Coronavirus. Through this Bill, the Government will reduce the need for local authorities to carry out needs assessments of unpaid carers and those needing care. It will also reduce the number of carer support plans, and care and support plans for those in need, through this legislation. The Government has said the measures in the Coronavirus Bill are temporary, proportionate to the threat, will only be used when strictly necessary and will be in place for as long as required to respond to the situation.

After promises by the new Government to deliver a solution for the social care crisis, the Chancellor Rishi Sunak did not mention social care in the Government's first Budget today.

Charity Carers UK launches free tool to help validate the skills gained through caring Learning for Living supports carers to re-enter work or review their current job Digital badge recognised by employers as part of professional development Care Minister trials programme with unpaid carers at Carers UK head office

Today the Joseph Rowntree Foundation has published its latest report on poverty, which shows as many as a quarter of unpaid carers in the UK are living in poverty. Other findings show: Working-age carers have a higher rate of poverty than those with no caring responsibilities, and women of working age who are carers have the greatest risk of all. The inability to work is the key driver for poverty among carers. In 2017/18, 36% of working-age carers were not in work, compared with 23% of non-carers. If you care for 20 hours or more a week, you have a higher risk of being in poverty than if you care for fewer than 20 hours. However, to receive Carer’s Allowance you must care for 35 hours or more per week. Those who care 35+ hours a week are three times less likely to be working as those caring fewer than 20 hours a week. The weekly household income is £100 a week less for people who are caring. Carer prevalence is at its highest among working-age adults in their 50s and early 60s, who are twice as likely to be carers as younger adults.

The Local Government Information Unit has today published its 2020 State of Local Government Finance report. It shows near universal disappointment amongst councils (97%) in the Government’s progress in delivering a sustainable funding system for local government. The report also shows that: Confidence in the sustainability of local government finance remains very low, with three quarters (74%) of councils saying they do not feel confident. 1 in 10 councils (12%) say they are in danger of being unable to fulfil statutory duties this year Productivity in providing publicly funded social care has declined by over 9% since 1997. 98% of the senior decision-makers responding to the survey said they were disappointed in the Government’s progress in delivering a long-term social care strategy. Adult social care remains the top long-term pressure.

In an interview on BBC Breakfast this morning (Tuesday 14th January 2020) the Prime Minister Boris Johnson committed to bringing forward a plan for social care reform this year and implementing it by the end of Parliament.

The Queen has today (Thursday 19th December) set out the Government's agenda in the State Opening of Parliament. In the Queen’s Speech, the new Government committed to introduce an entitlement to leave for unpaid carers juggling paid work with caring responsibilities, something which Carers UK has long been campaigning for.

Age UK has today released new research which shows 1 in 3 people over 80 are unpaid carers for sick or disabled relatives. The research reveals they save our economy a huge £23 billion a year through the unpaid care they give loved ones.

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 loved one in their lifetime Women taking on caring responsibilities a decade earlier than men Carers UK calls for sustainable investment in social care to support millions of carers

The Work and Pensions Committee has today published the government’s response to its report on overpayments of Carer’s Allowance, the main benefit for people caring for more than 35 hours a week. Carers UK has previously called for the Department of Work and Pensions to write off these overpayments where its own administrative delays have allowed them to accrue; this was also a recommendation made by the Work and Pensions Committee in its report. In its response the department does not commit to writing off overpayments or reviewing whether the majority of overpayments should be pursued. Carers UK also made a number of other recommendations such as: improving communications to carers about the rules for earnings with Carer’s Allowance, researching the impact of overpayments on carers, looking at the barriers that the earnings limit places on carers and, finally, aligning the earnings limit with the equivalent of 16 hours of the National Living Wage – to make the benefits system smoother and preventing carers from leaving work.

Carers UK has published a manifesto for carers calling on all political parties to commit to improving the lives of the UK’s 6.5 million unpaid carers.

The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has today laid a Written Ministerial Statement in the House of Commons on changes to social security benefit and pension rates for 2020/21. These will come into force in April 2020. Carer’s Allowance will rise by 1.7% to £67.25 a week, an increase of £1.10 from the current rate of £66.15 a week.

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

In today's Queen's Speech (14th October 2019) the government committed to bring forward proposals to "to reform adult social care in England, to ensure dignity in old age."

New research launched today by Aviva suggests an estimated 2.6 million people in the UK aged 45 and above expect to give up work to care for older or disabled relatives. The research shows the impact is likely to be greater for women than for men, with 20% of women believing they would need to give up work to care compared with 17% of men.    Yet the research found that only 6% of employers were treating this as a critical issue. 

Freedom of Information request reveals unpaid carers seeking replacement care for loved ones subjected to a postcode lottery Hundreds of thousands of carers going without enough sleep or seeing a doctor Give carers a break if we truly want to improve our social care system

Ahead of the Government’s one-year spending review tomorrow, Wednesday 4th September, Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK last week wrote to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sajid Javid MP, and the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock MP, to reiterate key short term spending priorities for unpaid carers. She called on the Government to use this opportunity to increase support for carers; specifically, by doubling the amount of money available for carers’ breaks through the Better Care Fund, to ensure carers get the much needed respite that they need. Carers UK also calls on the Government to confirm a short-term injection of funds to bridge the immediate funding gap for social care, and to outline in detail a sustainable and effective plan for how social care will be delivered and funded over the longer-term.

The National Institute for Health and Social Care Excellence (NICE) has today published draft guidelines for local authorities and health and social care practitioners on supporting unpaid carers. The guidelines include directing carers to appropriate financial and emotional support, as well as encouraging them to discuss supportive working arrangements with their employers. NICE has also recommended introducing peer support groups and appointing a carers’ champion within the workforce, who can implement the recommendations made in the guidelines and help other staff understand the responsibilities outlined in the Care Act 2014.

The Work and Pensions Committee has today released a critical report on the Department for Work and Pensions' handling of Carer’s Allowance overpayments. The Committee calls on the DWP to completely reassess its approach and consider writing off debts due to its own protracted administrative failures.

The Department for Health and Social Care has today (Tuesday 23rd July 2019) published its one year progress review of the Carers Action Plan, which was initially launched on 5th June 2018 and set out how the Government would improve support for unpaid carers in England over the next two years (until 2020).

The Prime Minister has today (19th July 2019) launched a consultation on parental leave entitlements called Good Work Plan: Proposals to support families. The consultation addresses statutory paternity leave for fathers and neonatal leave for parents of premature and sick babies, but does not address care leave for unpaid carers that the Government has promised to consult on.

Carers UK calls on leadership candidates to put UK’s families first and commit to funding adult social care New research released today by Carers UK, the leading membership charity for people caring unpaid for family and friends, shows unpaid carers are “bankrupting their future to pay for the present”.

The Government Equalities Office has today (3rd July 2019) released a roadmap for gender equality in the UK. In it, the Government commits to advancing gender equality in the workplace. It will consult on care leave for those who are balancing work and unpaid care and will support employers to improve their offer to carers.

Carers UK responds to latest budget survey from the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services. The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) carries out a survey each year of the 150 Directors of Adult Social Care in England.The report based on the survey provides data and evidence on the breadth of social care from those who are at the heart of commissioning and delivering it. Key findings include: £700 million savings planned to adult social care budgets in 2019/20.£7.7 billion cumulative savings since 2010. For 2019/20, only 33 per cent of directors of adult social services are fully confident that planned savings of £699 million will be fully met in the year, with 65 per cent directors being partially confident. 39 per cent of Directors of Adult Social Services (DASSs) stated the biggest pressure to adult social care budgets was from working age adults (17 per cent in 2017/18). Only 35 per cent of DASSs are fully confident that budgets will be sufficient to meet all of their statutory duties in 2019/20. Directors are least confident about meeting statutory duties relating to care market sustainability (62 per cent 2019/20, 79 per cent 2020/21), followed by prevention and wellbeing.

New data has been released today by NHS Digital on unpaid carers in England and the impact of caring on their quality of life. The survey of 50,800 adult carers in England reveals a worsening impact on carers' own health and wellbeing and finances with higher levels of sleep deprivation, stress and depression. Responding to the findings Helen Walker, Chief Executive at Carers UK, said:

‘Living longer and old-age dependency – what does the future hold?’ the new data release from the ONS suggests that as we look at the impact of an ageing population we need to revisit the way we think about our ageing population and its impact on economic dependency.

54% of carers report reduced levels of sport and physical activity because of caring. Carers UK and Sport England have teamed up to understand how to use sport and physical activity to combat loneliness and boost well-being amongst older carers.

The Department of Health and Social Care has today (Wednesday 12th June 2019) launched its £5 million Carers Innovation Fund to develop innovative approaches to support unpaid carers. The fund will invest in creative and cost-effective new ways to support unpaid carers, outside of mainstream health and care services; helping to build more carer-friendly communities.

Carers UK is working with Centrica in a bid to help one million carers stay in or return to work by 2020.

New research by the leading carers’ charity Carers UK estimates nearly a quarter of a million NHS workers (247,000) in England are juggling work and caring for a loved one who is older, disabled or seriously ill.

The National Audit Office has today (Friday 26th April 2019) released a report on its investigation into overpayments of Carer's Allowance. This is the main benefit for people caring for more than 35 hours a week.

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

More than 600 people quit work to look after older and disabled relatives every day 1 in 7 of the UK workforce caring for a loved one 2.6 million have quit their job to care. Carers UK calls for better employment rights including five to 10 days paid care leave  

New figures from the Office for National Statistics on sandwich carers – those who care for both sick, disabled or older relatives and dependent children - show this group are more likely to report symptoms of mental ill-health, feel less satisfied with life, and struggle financially compared with the general population. 

Carers UK delivers a letter from 8,200 carers calling on Amber Rudd to increase Carer’s Allowance in the rest of the UK to match change in Scotland More than 750,000 unpaid carers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are £442 a year worse off compared with carers in Scotland1

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 ambitious direction of travel to make life better for unpaid carers in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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