Some 1.5 million unpaid carers are providing more than 50 hours a week of support, a study reveals today.
That is equivalent to almost a full-time job and a half - with the value of free care provided by unpaid family members rocketing by 29% in a decade, according to research.
A Carers UK and Sheffield University study shows unpaid carers in England and Wales pumped £446million into the economy every day – £162billion per year.
Today’s report shows it is equivalent to a second NHS in England and Wales, which in 2020/21 received an estimated £164bn.
Report author Professor Matt Bennett, deputy director of Sheffield University’s Centre for Care, said: “Without unpaid carers, our health and social care systems would collapse.”
Researchers said increases in social care cash have failed to keep pace with rising costs and the system “is now relying ever more heavily on unpaid carers to prop it up”.
They warned fewer carers were providing more hours of care - looking after relatives or friends who have a disability, illness, mental health condition or who need extra help as they grow older.
Carers UK chief executive Helen Walker said: “The ever-declining availability of social care means there is shrinking support for families to pull on – and they are left without a choice but to put other areas of their life on hold and provide more care.”
The report’s recommendations include creating “a new social contract for carers which recognises not just their contributions to society, but their need for specific rights, support and recognition”.
Being a carer should be protected characteristic alongside race, religion and sexuality under the 2010 Equalities Act to prevent discrimination, it suggests.
The study calls on the Government to “urgently address the underfunding of social care”, pump an extra £1.5bn into “carers’ breaks so that carers are able to access the breaks they need and improve their mental and physical health and wellbeing” and double £25m of funding announced for unpaid carers under ministers’ latest plans.
Writing the foreword to the 36-page report, Ms Walker says: “Over the last 10 years, the number of hours of unpaid care that carers are providing has increased, with 1.5m people in England and Wales now providing over 50 hours of care every week.
“This has a profound impact on society and on our economy.
“For many people, care is an expression of love and so it is difficult to quantify it or put a monetary value on it.
“However, we know that carers are incredibly important to the health and social care system in this country, and we should acknowledge this significant contribution.
“As this report highlights, the increase in the amount of unpaid care being provided by family and friends has led to a huge rise in the economic value of care.”
A Department of Health and Social Care spokeswoman said: “We all owe unpaid carers a huge amount of gratitude for the time and care they give their friends and family.
“We are supporting social care with up to £7.5billion over the next two years and last month set out the Next Steps to Put People at the Heart of Care, our plan to reform social care, backed by £700million over the next two years - including up to an additional £25m for unpaid carers.
"This is on top of the £327m Better Care Fund that has been earmarked this financial year to provide short breaks and respite services for carers, as well as additional advice and support.
“We are finalising plans for how we deliver the funding for unpaid carers committed in the People at the Heart of Care Next Steps plan, and will provide an update in due course.”
The Mirror is campaigning for Fair Care for All.
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