Giving Up Work To Care 

• Growing numbers are either giving up work to care or reducing working hours
• 1 in 5 people in Wales are currently providing unpaid care
• More than 200,00 have quit their job to care

New polling by Opinium for Carers Wales reveals that 8% of people in Wales, an estimated 205,244 people, have quit their job to care for someone.

This is an increase from 6%, and an estimated 149,812 people, since the charity’s last public poll on the issue in 2019 indicating that support for people juggling paid work with caring for someone who is older or disabled is becoming increasingly important.

A growing number are also reducing their working hours to care. 5% have reduced their working hours to care – an estimated 128,278 people, and an increase from 3% (74,906 people) in 2019.

The polling, supported by Standard Life as part of their Caring for Carers initiative, shows that around 1 in 5 people (20%) in Wales are currently providing unpaid care – an estimated 513,112 people.

Many unpaid carers want to remain in work, not only for income, but because being able to work supports their wellbeing, offering a break from caring, boosting confidence and social contact. However, they need the right support to enable them to do this.

7% of people polled said caring has had a negative impact on their employment, for example feeling tired and stressed at work. The two forms of workplace support that the public in Wales considered most important for unpaid carers were:

• Having a supportive line manager (82%)
• Flexible working (78%)
  

When asked what support for unpaid carers is currently available in their workplace, 21% of workers said they had access to flexible working. This was the most reported source of support, followed by clear policies to support carers (19%).

44% of current and former carers in Wales said caring has had an impact on their finances. Over a fifth (21%) they had to use savings due to the costs of caring, whilst 17% said caring has increased their household costs.

Rob Simkins, Head of External Affairs, Carers Wales, said:

“Many carers we support have been forced to step back from promising careers, losing not only their professional identity and valuable support networks, but also their financial security, with too many being pushed into hardship. Enabling carers to remain in good-quality, flexible employment makes economic sense, helping employers to retain experienced staff and reducing the long-term costs associated with carers leaving the workforce.

“Employer-led initiatives can make a real difference, and the Welsh Government has a vital role to play through its own policies, services and leadership in helping people balance paid work with unpaid care. While responsibility for employment law largely rests with the UK Government, both governments must work together to deliver meaningful change that enables more carers to remain in employment if they choose to do so.”

Director of Corporate Affairs & Chief of Staff at Standard Life and Executive Sponsor of the company’s Carers Network, Claire Hawkins, said: 

“Carers play a vital role in supporting families and communities, but the growing number of people leaving work to care for loved ones highlights the need for greater support.

“Time out of the workforce can have lasting consequences, reducing income, retirement savings and the opportunity to build the long-term financial resilience that underpins security in later life.

“At Standard Life, we’ve seen that supporting carers doesn’t need to be costly or complex. Practical measures such as paid carer’s leave, flexible working, supportive managers and employee networks can make a meaningful difference. Creating workplaces where people can balance work and care helps them remain connected to employment, continue building retirement savings and strengthen their long-term financial security, while enabling employers to retain valuable skills and experience.

“As policymakers consider the future of support for unpaid carers through initiatives such as the recent consultation on employment rights for unpaid carers and wider social care reform, there is a real opportunity for employers and government to work together. By helping more people stay in work while managing caring responsibilities, we can support greater financial resilience throughout life and help more people achieve better outcomes in retirement.”