Unpaid carers save Scotland £7.6 billion

The value of unpaid support provided by carers in Scotland has now reached over £7.6 billion a year according to a new report¹ published by Carers UK/Carers Scotland.

The new figures, calculated by the University of Leeds for Carers UK – the leading charity for people caring for their sick, disabled or frail relatives and partners, are 54 per cent higher in Scotland than previous estimates of how much Scotland’s 479,934 carers save the nation. 

Within the UK the figure has risen from £57 billion (2002) to £87 billion² – more than the annual total spend on the NHS which stood at nearly £82 billion in the year 2006-2007³. The new overall figures are also more than four times the amount spent on social care services for adults and children by local authorities each year - £19.3 billion in the year 2005-2006.

The dramatic rise in the value of carers’ support is a warning to policy makers about the extent to which our economy relies on the care provided by family and friends. It shows that if only a small number were to give up caring – perhaps through ill health or lack of support - the economic impact could be disastrous. Given our demographics and ageing population, it shows the urgent need for better recognition and support for carers.

Many carers remain isolated and unsupported, with thousands living in poverty and unable to take up paid work or have a normal social life. On the eve of Gordon Brown’s first Labour Party Conference as Prime Minister, Carers UK wants Government to recognise the huge contribution made by carers.

Pat Begley, Director of Carers Scotland says, “When you put a monetary value on carers’ contribution to the economy, it shows the stark reality of the true costs of caring.  It is clear that without carers, our NHS and social care systems would collapse. Indeed their input is so vast that it has kept pace with the extra investment put into the NHS by Government. 

“It is ironic, given the billions they contribute to the economy, that so many carers are forced to live in poverty and experience a poor quality of life.  We need concerted action from Government, employers and public bodies to end social exclusion among carers.  Carers are an invaluable resource to our community.  It is time they were given the support and recognition to become valued and equal members of society.” 

“When we look at the wider economic impact, support to carers becomes even more significant. Every year, one in five carers gives up work to care. By 2037, it is estimated that an extra 3.4 million people will be caring - (in Scotland almost one million) - at a time when the economy needs more skilled workers.    The contribution carers make to society is gradually being recognised in law and in government policies, but in the light of these figures today, developing and funding appropriate levels of support needs to be an urgent priority for all.”

Key recommendations in the report include:

•  Robust economic costing to determine the risk to the economy if insufficient support to carers is provided in the future.
• Significant investment in social care, including stimulation of the care market.
• New legislation to make it illegal to discriminate against carers - in the same way that it is for disabled people.
• A full scale review of carers’ benefits; and the exploration of tax breaks and tax credits to help carers avoid poverty and remain in employment.
• Sound policies which look at maximising independence and choice for the people being cared for and carers.
• Employers need to support carers in the workplace and ensure that they are not discriminated against.

19 September 2007

Footnotes

1. The report, Valuing Carers – calculating the value of unpaid care, is published by Carers UK and is available from www.carersuk.org.  The authors of the report are Dr Lisa Buckner and Professor Sue Yeandle, University of Leeds
2. The last estimate of carers’ support was valued at £57 billion a year in a report published by Carers UK, Without Us, 2002.  The calculations were based on a formula published by the Institute of Actuaries
3. Total NHS spending in 2006/7 was £81,678 billion.  Source: Department of Health, Departmental Report 2007, published May 2007, The Stationery Office

Further information:

Patrick Begley, Director, Carers Scotland or Fiona Collie, Policy Officer, Carers Scotland

Tel. 0141 221 9141.   fiona.collie@carerscotland.org   www.carerscotland.org

Please note that Carers Scotland office will be closed on Friday 21 and Monday 24 September.   If information or comment is required over this period please contact the numbers below.

Kate Groucutt M. 07855 383445 email: kate.groucutt@carersuk.org.         

or Patricia Orr. T. 020 7592 1980 M. 07889 140139

email: pat@thirdsectorpr.co.uk

Notes to Editors

Scotland. Figures for local authorities

                                                            Carers              2002 value       New value       Change           Change

                                                            (2001)               (based on         (based on

                                                            Census £57 billion)       £87 billion)

                                                            Numbers          (£ millions)       (£ millions)      (£ millions)            %                                                     

1.  Carers UK will be debating these issues at all three party political conferences in England. For details of their programme of events, visit http://www.carersuk.org/Policyandpractice/PartyConferences

2.  Carers UK/Carers Scotland is the leading campaigning, policy and information organisation of and for carers. Carers UK continues to make a difference to carers' lives by: campaigning for a better deal for carers; informing carers of their rights and what help is available; training and advising professionals who work with carers; working across the UK through its membership and networks of branches and affiliates. For more information, visit www.carersuk.org or for advice on your caring situation call CarersLine on T. 0808 808 7777.

3.  This work is part of a series of research reports published as part of the Action for Carers and Employment (ACE) National - a development partnership led by Carers UK and funded by the European Social Fund’s Equal programme.   This work aims to raise awareness of the barriers facing carers who wish to work, and tests and promotes ways of supporting them. Visit www.carerscotland.org.