Key facts about carers

• There are almost six million carers in the UK - that is one in 10 people.
• Over the next 30 years, the number of carers will increase by 3.4 million (around 60%).
• Carers are estimated to save the Government between £67 billion and £87 billion a year.
• 42% of the UK's carers are men.
• 1.25 million carers care for over 50 hours a week.
• Over-65s currently account for a third of all carers, providing more than 50 hours of care a week.

• There are 175,000 young carers in the UK. 13,000 care for over fifty hours a week.
• 50,000 children and young people look after someone with a mental health problem in the UK.       
• 68% of young carers are bullied in school.
• The Princess Royal Trust for Carers support young carers as young as five-years-old.

Mental health and learning disabilities Substance misuse  

• Nearly 1.5 million adults in the UK are affected by a relative’s drug use.
• The total annual saving to statutory services for the UK provided to problem drug users by family members is an estimated £750m.

Carers and employment 

• Nearly one in eight workers is a carer.
• Family and caring responsibilities account for 26% of economic inactivity in the UK working age population compared with 19% in Germany and 18% in the Netherlands.
• On average, carers retire eight years early.
• One in five carers gives up employment to care.

Carers and benefits 

• Three out of four carers are worse off as a result of their caring role.
• Approximately 500,000 carers receive Carer’s Allowance, but around 1.2m are eligible. Eligible carers who are receiving another benefit such as a State Pension cannot receive Carer’s Allowance.
• Some Carers’ Centres uncover £1 million per annum in unclaimed benefits for carers.
• Out of carers surveyed, 9% had missed out on Carer’s Allowance for 3-5 years, 10% for 5-10 years and 14% for over 10 years, because they did not realise they were entitled to it.
• Out of carers surveyed, 49% said not getting these benefits affected their health, 20% said they were struggling financially and 20% said they were in debt.

Carers’ health and well-being 

• More than 80% of carers say that their caring role has damaged their health.
• Only 25% of carers receive a Carers’ Assessment and only 14% say that it has led to a change in support.
• 33% of local authorities are providing services to less than 6% of carers within their area.

Carers and breaks

• 11% of carers say they have nobody to rely upon if they wanted to take a break
• 42% of carers say they would need someone to look after the cared for had not taken a break since they started caring
• Only 4% report getting a break in their own home
• Only 8% report getting a break away from home
   

Carers in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

• Nearly five million people are carers.
• One million people care for fifty or more hours per week.
• 145,000 of the five million carers are children.

Scotland

• There are 657,000 carers in Scotland.
• 115,674 care for 50 or more hours per week.
• 16,701 of carers in Scotland are young carers.

Wales

• 340,745 people are carers.
• 89,604 care for 50 or more hours per week.
• 7,000 of carers in Wales are children. 

Northern Ireland

• 185,066 people are carers.
• 46,659 people care for 50 or more hours per week.

If you would like to know more information, contact our press office.