Sector Insights: Carers

The most recent Census (2021) estimates that there are 5 million unpaid carers in England and Wales. Together with ONS Census data for Scotland and Northern Ireland, the data suggests that there ate 5.8 million carers across the UK (Carers UK).

Our Sector Insights provides a breakdown of the statistics for carers in Gloucestershire. - RP, speak to Emily.

Number of unpaid carers

• In 2021, there were 51,860 people providing unpaid care in Gloucestershire.
• This is equivalent to 8.5% of the population.
• The Forest of Dean had the highest proportion of unpaid carers (9.7% of the population). Cheltenham had the lowest proportion of unpaid carers (7.4%).

Economic contribution

• The estimated economic value of the contribution made by unpaid carers in Gloucestershire is over £1.5 billion per year.
• Number of carers, by district (nominal value -£M):
  • Cheltenham 8,415 241
  • Cotswold 6,990 199
  • Forest of Dean 8,050 253
  • Gloucester 10,540 335
  • Stroud 10,270 281
  • Tewkesbury 7,595 224
  • Total 51,860 £1,533M

Source: Petrillo and Bennett, Valuing Carers 2021

Key facts

• Women are more likely to become carers and to provide more hours of unpaid care than men. Nationally, 59% of unpaid carers are women. (census 2021). Need links for all of these, like above - ask Emily.
• One in seven people in the workplace in the UK are juggling work and care. (Carers UK, Juggling Work and Care, 2019).
• 1 in 3 NHS staff provide unpaid care. (NHS Staff Survey, 2022).
• 60% of carers report a long-term health condition or disability compared with 50% of non-carers. (Carers UK analysis of GP Patient Survey 2021).
• 44% of working age adults who are caring for 35 hours or more per week are in poverty. (Joseph Rowntree Foundation, UK Poverty 2022).
• 75% of working carers worry about continuing to juggle work and care (Carers UK, State of Caring 2022).

The impact of caring on health

• Carers UK (The State of Caring 2023) has found that:
  • 82% of carers anticipated that the impact of caring on their physical and mental health would be a challenge in the year ahead.
  • 79% of carers said that they feel stressed or anxious.
  • 49% of carers said that they feel depressed.
  • 50% of carers said that they feel lonely.
• In addition, 65% of carers feel the increase in the cost of living is having a negative impact on their physical and/or mental health.

Useful reports and websites

• Carers UK https://www.carersuk.org/
• The Health Foundation https://www.health.org.uk/
• The Children’s Society – Young Carers Initiative https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/
• Unpaid Care – Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology https://post.parliament.uk/research-briefings/post-pn-0582/
• Inform Glos https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/inform/adults-and-older-people/carers/

HM to add usual 'blurb'.