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Industrial reporter @TrinderMatt
ALMOST a third of Britain’s unpaid carers are struggling to make ends meet and more than half are worried about their finances, according to a study published today.
Charity Carers UK says that its latest survey shows that providing unpaid care is pushing thousands of families into poverty and impacting on their quality of life.
More than half (52 per cent) of the 8,119 carers polled reported feeling anxious about money, while 31 per cent barely manage to afford monthly expenses.
A further 18 per cent are in or have been in debt due to their caring responsibilities and 6 per cent cannot pay basic bills such as for electricity.
Of those struggling to make ends meet, about a quarter (24 per cent) are eating into savings, 14 per cent are relying on credit cards and 12 per cent are borrowing money from family and friends.
More than a third (36 per cent) said that their financial situation has deteriorated during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The research also found that 63 per cent are using their own money to prop up the system by covering the cost of care, equipment and products for loved ones, amounting to £1,370 a year on average.
Carers UK chief executive Helen Walker said: “With low levels of services, carers are going to be facing an extremely difficult winter with the rising costs of living, increased energy prices, a social care staffing crisis and a chronically underfunded system.”
The GMB union, which is campaigning for a £15-an-hour minimum wage for social care workers, warned that unpaid carers are the “unrecognised hidden workforce.”
Senior organiser Kelly Andrews urged Tory ministers to “do more to support the unpaid carer and increase benefits that support this vital workforce.”
A government spokesperson said: “We recognise the valuable role of unpaid carers and since 2010 we have increased Carer’s Allowance putting an additional £700 a year in carers’ pockets.“We remain committed to helping them financially, along with their health, wellbeing and employment chances, and those in receipt of Carer’s Allowance may be entitled to other support, including benefits.”
