Today, the Family Resources Survey was published with new insights and data on unpaid care, helping us to better understand the differences and challenges faced by families today.  This release for 2021/22 includes new information which shows that 16% or nearly one in six carers are caring for an adult with disabilities, someone is older and needs support or who is chronically ill, as well as looking after a child.  The report calls this group of people "sandwich carers". They are most likely to be caring for a parent as well as a child. 

Emily Holzhausen OBE, Director of Policy and Public Affairs, Carers UK said:  

"These are valuable findings which shine a light on the exhausting juggle of caring for an adult as well as a child. Our health, care and welfare systems are simply not set up to recognise these multiple responsibilities faced by families who are sandwich carers, many of whom feel stretched to the limit.  With continued rises in the costs of living, this is piling the pressure onto families.  

"Often this sandwich caring takes place at a peak time for their career putting their ability to do paid work at risk when the pressure to care becomes too much.  The Carer's Leave Bill, providing up to one week of unpaid leave, currently passing through Parliament will make a difference for unpaid carers in employment if it becomes law.  

"However, Government needs to go further to ensure that unpaid carers are better recognised, valued and supported through a National Carers Strategy, getting the vital support that families need to them."