A recent report from Carers UK sheds light on the financial difficulties experienced by thousands of unpaid carers in the United Kingdom. The findings, based on the State of Caring 2023 survey, reveal that unpaid carers continue to grapple with financial challenges due to the cost-of-living crisis and a benefits system that does not adequately meet their needs.
The study highlights that unpaid carers, especially those receiving Carer’s Allowance, are susceptible to the high costs associated with their caregiving responsibilities. A substantial 75% of unpaid carers receiving Carer’s Allowance struggle with the increasing cost of living. Almost half of them make sacrifices when it comes to essentials such as food and heating, while 45% find it challenging to make ends meet - an alarming increase of 6% compared to the previous year.
Last year Carers First asked carers about their financial worries. Nine out of 10 of them told us that they were worried about the rising cost of living and losing sleep about it. Concerned that only one in five carers were accessing the benefits they were entitled to, we launched our Lighten the Load campaign, which includes a five-week email course with clear, actionable information to make it easier for carers to find financial support. Carers can also use our website to check their benefit entitlement.
Carers First Chief Executive, Alison Taylor, said,
“Carers UK’s State of Caring Survey reinforces what we at Carers First see on a daily basis: carers facing an increasing financial burden simply because they are carers. This is neither sustainable nor fair. The financial struggles of carers are a pressing concern that demands immediate attention and action from the government to ensure that family carers receive the support they need”.
Do you want to raise awareness?
Carers UK is inviting individuals to share their report with their networks and on social media to raise awareness of this critical issue. They also encourage contacting local MPs to bring attention to the report and the challenges unpaid carers face in the UK. For more information and a template letter to send to your MP, contact Carers UK at policy@carersuk.org.
Online Help and Advice
Visit our online support section where we have provided advice and guidance on a range of relevant topics to help you in your caring role.