The State of Caring survey is the UK’s most comprehensive regular research into the lives and experiences of unpaid carers. Over 11,000 carers shared their views, and the results will be shared in a series of reports compiled by Carers UK.

The first report they have released is on finances. This year’s survey found that carers are struggling even more with their finances. A higher proportion of carers said they are struggling to make ends meet(45% compared with 39% last year), and carers who are already struggling with the high cost of living, are being further impacted by having their ability to earn restricted by Carer’s Allowance. 

It was found that 75% of unpaid carers receiving Carer’s allowance are struggling with cost-of-living pressures, while almost half (46%) are cutting back on essentials, including food and heating.

This year’s survey found that, of carers receiving Carer’s Allowance: 

• 34% were even more likely to be struggling to afford the cost of food compared with 21% of all carers.
• 71% were even more likely to say they were worried about living costs and whether they can manage in the future.
• 72% are worried about the impact of caring responsibilities (e.g. petrol for hospital visits, heating, specific dietary requirements) on their finances.
• 54% had cut back on seeing family and friends.

You can download and read the full report here:

https://www.carersuk.org/reports/state-of-caring-survey-2023-the-impact-of-caring-on-finances/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign&utm_content=ap_ebxswy41l7&fbclid=IwAR3-jPercOgbFR9o2ubGsxeZOK7-6e9IlIr2wQR0Xtj_dZD94KFB6RlKakA

https://www.carersuk.org/media/ktmpiuwl/cuk-soc-finance-report-2023.pdf