The number of informal carers in the UK is substantial and growing. Between 2001 and 2011, their number rose significantly (outstripping population growth) from 5.8 million to 6.5 million. Most carers are women (around 60%) and the vast majority (around 4.1 million) are of working age.

Furthermore, the majority of working age carers (2.6 million) combine work with their caring responsibilities. Due to several factors, in particular the ageing population and declining investment in social care services, the number of informal carers is expected to rise. Estimates suggest they will number 9 million by 2037 5.The economic value of their contribution is huge – and the UK’s health and social care system is heavily and increasingly reliant on it.

This paper outlines some of the implications associated with the growing number of informal carers in the UK, the health and social care system’s increasingly unsustainable reliance on them, and what Government and employers can do about it. This is informed by the academic and grey literature, as well as a workshop we hosted in 20176, which was attended by over 30 expert stakeholders from government and non-government bodies, individual carers, carers charities, think tanks, and businesses.

Read the full report here

Related Reports

• 

  The changing workplace: Enabling disability-inclusive hybrid working

• 

  Accessing digital services in rural communities

• 

  Digital Boundaries and Disconnection at Work – A Guide for Employers