Key facts
- Around 1,500 Britons are quitting their jobs daily to become unpaid carers.
- Over a million people have left the workforce in the past two years to care for relatives.
- One in five employees (6.7 million people) face career and financial sacrifices due to caregiving.
- 22% of surveyed carers reduced their job hours, with 34% working less than eight hours a week.
- 10% of carers have turned down promotions or taken lower-paid roles.
- The economic cost to the UK from unpaid caring is estimated at £37 billion annually.
Approximately 1,500 people in the UK are leaving their jobs each day to become unpaid carers for relatives, according to research by Carers UK. This trend is driven by the growing care needs of vulnerable relatives and a decline in access to state-funded social care services. The report estimates that over a million people have quit paid work in the last two years to care for ageing, ill, or disabled loved ones, highlighting the economic and social impact of the UK's changing demographic profile.
One in five employees, totaling 6.7 million people, are reportedly facing career and financial sacrifices as they balance paid work with caregiving responsibilities. Of those surveyed, 22% have reduced their working hours, with 34% working less than eight hours per week. Around 10% of carers have declined promotions or accepted lower-paid roles to accommodate their caregiving duties.
Emily Holzhausen, director of policy at Carers UK, stated that these figures represent individuals making difficult decisions about their careers and financial security. The organization is urging the government to enhance employment rights for unpaid carers, including a statutory entitlement to 10 days of paid carer's leave annually. They also called for the independent review of adult social care, led by Louise Casey, to recommend policies that prioritize carers and facilitate the combination of work and care.
Jacqui Hylton, a 58-year-old midwife with 30 years of NHS experience, gave up her career two years ago to care for her mother, Winnie. Hylton expressed frustration that her professional skills are underutilized while the NHS faces a midwife shortage. She noted that her caring role makes it difficult to maintain her professional accreditation, impacting her pension and future earnings. She stated that while she does not regret caring for her mother, the financial strain and isolation are significant challenges.
The rise in unpaid carers reflects an aging population and an increase in individuals with disabilities or long-term health conditions. The report estimates the annual economic cost to the UK from this trend to be £37 billion. A government spokesperson acknowledged the significant contribution of unpaid carers and stated that the government is exploring ways to support them through a review of employment rights.