New research, launched by the Carer Poverty Commission (CPC), shows that policies to support unpaid carers, such as flexible working, paid carer’s leave and improved social care provision could prevent thousands of unpaid carers leaving employment due to the demands of their caring role and help many others to re-enter the labour market.

The CPC research estimates that a combination of flexible working and paid carer’s leave could increase the number of unpaid carers in employment in the province by over 6000. Other carers could be supported to increase their hours.

Together these changes could raise over £100 million in taxes and reduce benefit spending by over £40 million. At the same time employers could save over £27 million from increased employee retention as well as the additional benefits of increased productivity and improved staff wellbeing.

Improvement in social care provision could support over 1800 local carers into employment raising over £20 million in taxes and reducing benefit spending by over £11 million.

Previous research from CPC revealed that one in three carers in Northern Ireland leave work due to caring commitments. This has an enormous impact on their careers and finances. Locally over half (55%) of carers who are unemployed are living in poverty. The poverty rate for those in employment is much lower at 14%.

Derek who carers for his parents and his aunt said “The cost of everything just keeps on rising. Food, fuel, taxi costs – they are double what they were. I am working two jobs as well as caring for family members just to get by.”

Not all unpaid carers want to be employed and care at the same time, and that should be their choice. However, many carers want and indeed need to work to bring in that much-needed wage but find it very difficult to juggle their caring responsibilities with paid employment. Previous research has shown that workplace support and good replacement care, such as domiciliary care or day care, are two of the biggest enablers that would help carers balance the roles.

Sally who carers for her daughter who has additional needs told us “Balancing any sort of employment with caring for my daughter is so difficult. But I want to work. I want to bring in a wage to help with the costs. Caring for my daughter is very rewarding – I would never give that up but if I had more support from employers and the health and social care system it would make it so much more manageable and enable me to bring in a better wage and keep us out of debt.”

Natasha who cares for her two adult children has access to some support. She said “I love my job. Going to work is important to me. It is like a form of respite. I get a break away from caring and time to talk to other people and make social connections. My job also means I can bring in a wage to support myself and my children. My employer offers flexible working and paid emergency carer’s leave. Both my children avail of day services in adult centres and community transport. Without these I would never be able to do the job I am doing.”

Angela Phillips, Carers NI’s Senior Policy Officer said:

“Many unpaid carers want to continue in employment alongside their caring role, but do not get the opportunity to do so because of a lack of support, which can lead to financial hardship and poverty.

“Workplace supports, and improved provision of social care can help unpaid carers to enter or remain in employment and bring in a wage as well as balance caring with paid work. It is also a huge benefit to employers saving them millions per year in recruitment costs as well as having a significant impact on our economy with massive savings on benefit spending and increased gains in taxes. It is a win win for everyone.

“We have a real opportunity in Northern Ireland to make these supports a reality for our unpaid carers. The Executive must include flexibility and paid carer’s leave within the Good Jobs Bill, and it must commit to fully funding the recommendations from the reform of adult social care. The narrative must move from what these supports cost to what benefits they bring to ensure unpaid carers get the support they need and not the poverty so many suffer.”