A growing \u201cunsung army\u201d of 1 million people with full-time caring responsibilities needs better support, according to a report that found one in three unpaid carers from poorer backgrounds were unable to work because of their duties.<\/p>\n
The trend is the result of an ageing society and rising ill-health and disability concentrated in the poorest half of the country\u2019s working-age families, the Resolution Foundation\u2019s research found.<\/p>\n
Almost one in three working-age adults in lower-income families had a disability, compared with fewer than one in five in better-off families, the thinktank said.<\/p>\n
It added that in homes of modest means, 1 million people had caring responsibilities of 35 hours or more a week \u2013 the equivalent of a full-time job \u2013 making it challenging to secure paid work.<\/p>\n
Mike Brewer, the deputy chief executive of the Resolution Foundation, said: \u201cBritain is getting older and sicker, while a greater share of its population has a disability. While these trends affect the whole of society, they are starkest in the poorest half of working-age families across the country.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile we talk a lot about the effects of ageing and ill-health, the implications on demand for unpaid care is largely absent from political debate.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s despite Britain having an \u2018unsung army\u2019 of 1 million people who do at least 35 hours of unpaid care work every week \u2013 equivalent to a full-time job.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is time to provide better support for these carers and their families, just as we have done with working parents in recent decades.\u201d<\/p>\n
In response, a government spokesperson said: \u201cWe understand the huge difference carers make, as well as the struggles they may face.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s why we\u2019ve delivered the biggest ever cash increase in the earnings threshold for carer\u2019s allowance, whilst unpaid carers can also receive support, including short breaks and respite services, through the Better Care Fund.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlongside this, we are reviewing the implementation of carer\u2019s leave and considering the benefits of introducing paid carer\u2019s leave.\u201d<\/p>\n