More Than 1,500 People a Day Leaving Work to Care for Loved Ones

More than 1,500 people across the UK are estimated to be leaving their jobs every day to care for a loved one, as new research reveals the growing impact of unpaid caring on working lives.

Research highlighted by Carers UK found that 6% of people surveyed had left employment completely to care for a family member or friend who was older, disabled or seriously ill. Among those who had left work, 34% had done so within the previous two years.

Carers UK estimates this means more than one million people have left employment to provide unpaid care during the past two years alone. The estimated rate of more than 1,500 people leaving work each day is considerably higher than the figure of around 600 a day reported in 2019.

The pressure extends far beyond those who have stopped working altogether. One in five workers are now estimated to be balancing employment with unpaid caring responsibilities, compared with 15% in 2019.

Previous research from Carers UK has also found that many people want to remain in employment. Almost three-quarters of carers in work said employment supported their wellbeing by giving them a break from caring, increasing their confidence and providing social contact. However, 47% said they were considering reducing their hours or leaving work because of the pressures they faced.

The consequences can follow carers long after they leave their jobs. Giving up employment can affect immediate income, future pension savings and career progression, while employers can lose experienced members of their workforce. The Department for Business and Trade has estimated that carers being out of work costs the economy £37 billion a year.

Carers UK has called for stronger support to help people remain in employment, including a statutory right to paid Carer’s Leave, better support from employers and greater investment in health and social care. Its research has identified inflexible workplaces, exhaustion and difficulties accessing affordable and reliable care among the pressures that can push working carers to the point where continuing in employment becomes impossible.

Employees who care for a dependant already have a legal entitlement to up to one week of unpaid Carer’s Leave during a 12-month period in England, Wales and Scotland. The government has also consulted on options to strengthen workplace support, including the possibility of introducing paid Carer’s Leave.

For millions of families, unpaid care allows older, disabled and seriously ill people to receive essential support from those closest to them. The latest figures also highlight the personal cost when caring responsibilities become impossible to combine with earning a living.

Stay informed with the stories shaping health and social care.