Key facts about carersCarers across the UK
There are almost 6 million carers in the UK - that is 1 in ten people.
Over the next 30 years, the number of carers will increase by 3.4 million (around 60%).
The value of care provided by carers in the UK is £119bn a year.
42% of the UK’s carers are men.
There are 1.25 million carers caring for over 50 hours a week.
Young Carers across the UK
There are 175,000 young carers in the UK.
27% of young carers (aged 11–15) miss school or experience educational difficulties.
68% of young carers are bullied and feel isolated in schools.
13,000 of the UK’s young carers care for over 50 hours a week.
Older Carers across the UK
People over 65 account for a third of all carers providing more than 50 hours of care a week.
65% of older carers (aged 60–94) have long-term health problems or a disability themselves.
68.8% of older carers say that being a carer has an adverse effect on their mental health.
One third of older carers say they have cancelled treatment or an operation for themselves because of their caring responsibilities.
Mental Health
Up to 1.5 million people in the UK care for someone with a mental health problem.
50,000 children and young people in the UK look after someone with a mental health problem.
Learning Disabilities
14% of carers (approx. 840,000) care for people with learning disabilities.
In England, it is estimated that 60% of all adults with a learning disability are supported by family carers
Substance Misuse
In the UK, at least 250,000 people are affected by a relative’s problematic use of opiates or crack.
The total annual saving to statutory services for the UK provided to problem drug users by family members is an estimated £750,000,000.
Carers and Employment
The employment rate for carers is at 67% (72% of men and 62% of women); over half of those who are not working say that they want to do so.
One in five carers gives up employment to care.
Carers and Finance
In an online survey of 800 carers conducted by Carers Trust in July 2010 53% have borrowed money as a result of their caring.
60% have used all of their savings to cover the costs of caring.
Carers and Benefits
Out of carers surveyed, 35% of carers had missed out on state benefits because they didn’t realise they could claim them.
In a survey, 9% of carers had missed out on Carer’s Allowance for 3–5 years, 10% for 5–10 years and 14% for over ten years, because they did not realise they were entitled to it
Carers’ Health and Wellbeing
In a study, around half of carers in England said their health had been affected because of the care they provide.
52% of carers providing substantial care in one study were being treated for stress-related disorders.
Carers in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
England
Nearly 5 million people are carers.
145,000 of the 5 million carers are children.
Scotland
There are 657,000 carers in Scotland.
16,701 of carers in Scotland are young carers.
Wales
340,745 people are carers.
11,000 of carers in Wales are children.
Northern Ireland
185,066 people are carers.
2,300 of carers in Northern Ireland are children.
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CONCERT FOR CARERS
Princess Royal Trust For Carers
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