Overview

This report by Carers UK looks at the issue of poverty amongst unpaid carers in the UK and what can be done to tackle it, with two smaller reports exploring the issue of poverty amongst unpaid carers in Scotland and Wales.

Unpaid carers are a large and diverse population – around 5.7 million across the UK. Yet large numbers live in poverty and deep poverty – this is when someone’s resources are 50% below the poverty line.

According to the Scottish Government, there are approximately 700,000 to 800,000 carers in Scotland, including 28,000 young carers. 17% of women and 12% of men are carers, and people are more likely to provide care in their later working years. Other research has estimated that around 70% of unpaid carers in Scotland are women and that women take on caring responsibilities 12 years earlier than men, on average.

Key recommendations

The UK report sets out recommendations for immediate priorities and longer-term deliverables, including:

Within the next year…

- Begin a review of the current support provided to unpaid carers through the social security system

- Increase the value of Carer Element, Carer Premium and Carer Addition by £11.10 per week

- Set out clear options to fix issues surrounding Carer’s Allowance

- Commit to introducing a National Carers Strategy, including carrying out a consultation with stakeholders and carers

- Ensure that the Employment Rights Bill fully implements the commitments from Make Work Pay in full

- Introduce a new statutory right to paid Carer’s Leave to support more people to balance employment and unpaid care and remain in work

- Take steps towards recognising ‘caring’ as a protected characteristic within the Equality Act 2010

- Develop the plan for the National Care Service and deliver much-needed funding to help stabilise social care, particularly in the run-up to winter

Scotland report

The Scottish Government should:

- Continue the roll-out of the new Carer Support Payment to replace Carer’s Allowance in Scotland and aim to complete this by Spring 2025 as previously indicated

- Commit to Social Security Scotland carrying out a review of the current support provided to unpaid carers through the social security system in Scotland

- Set out clear options to relax Carer Support Payment eligibility criteria

- Make representation to the UK Government, calling for the DWP to increase the value of Carer Element, Carer Premium and Carer Addition by £11.10 per week

- Introduce more housing support for unpaid carers

Wales report

The Welsh Government should:

- Commit to the production of an Action and Implementation Plan for unpaid carers, addressing the findings and recommendations of the 2023 Welsh Government-commissioned Evaluation of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014

- Reconsider its proposals to increase the maximum weekly charge of £100 for non-residential care and support services to as much as £125

- Provide long-term funding certainty for the Carers Support Fund and Short Breaks Fund beyond 2025

- Introduce more housing support for unpaid carers