FAQ

What is the report about?

Valuing Carers – calculating the value of unpaid care is a new report published by Carers UK and researched and written by Leeds University which shows that carers now save the state £87 billion a year.

This is a rise of 52% across the UK, an increase of £30 billion on the last figure of £57 billion which Carers UK published in 2002. The value of care is greater than the annual budget for the NHS (£82 billion in 2006/7).

Why have the figures gone up?

a) the number of carers providing heavy end care has increased.
b) local authorities have been cutting back on care so families are providing more.
c) wage inflation – although this does not explain the whole increase.

What are the figures in my local area?

Carers UK has calculated figures for the value of carers' contribution for each local area in the UK which you can find at the back of the full report. more...

What is Carers UK campaigning for?

Carers UK wants carers to be fully recognised for the contribution they make to society and to get the practical, financial and emotional help they need. This work places a monetary value on carers’ contribution – vital to all our other campaigns such as securing a better financial deal for carers and through our partnership project Action for Carers and Employment on finding ways to help carers to remain in and return to work.

What needs to be done?

1. Robust economic costing to determine the risk to the economy if insufficient care is provided in the future.
2. Significant investment in social care, including stimulation of the care market.
3. New legislation to make it illegal to discriminate against carers - in the same way that it is for disabled people.
4. 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.
5. Sound policies which look at maximising independence and choice for the people being cared for and carers.
6. Clarity about the “social contract” for carers – what the state, employers, and others will provide and what individuals have to contribute.
7. New legislation that treats carers as partners in care.