State of Caring survey

About the State of Caring survey

The State of Caring survey is the UK’s most comprehensive regular research into the lives and experiences of unpaid carers.

State of Caring survey 2024

The State of Caring 2024 survey found that unpaid carers are finding it increasingly difficult to afford day-to-day living costs, with the worry and anxiety of this affecting their mental health and wellbeing.

Carers, particularly those receiving Carer’s Allowance and Universal Credit, are struggling to make ends meet, and many are making difficult choices, such as reducing meal sizes or skipping meals. A majority of carers responding to our survey are now cutting back on social connections, which often provide a vital lifeline helping people to balance caring responsibilities with their own wellbeing.

This year’s survey found that:

61% of unpaid carers are worried about living costs and managing in the future, and over a third (35%) don’t feel confident they will be able to manage financially over the next 12 months

28% of carers are cutting back on essentials like food and heating, an increase from 25% in 2022.

28% of carers said they have had to use credit cards, 22% have used their overdraft and 14% of carers are in debt because of caring.

68% of carers have cut back on hobbies and leisure activities and 60% have reduced time spent seeing family and friends

Over half of carers (51%) said that their financial situation is having a negative impact on their mental health, and 61% feel stressed or anxious when they think about their financial situation.

42% of carers on Carer’s Allowance are struggling to make ends meet, compared to 27% of all carers, and 19% of carers in receipt of Universal Credit use food banks compared to 7% of all carers.

These findings support recent research commissioned by Carers UK and conducted by the WPI, which found that 1.2 million unpaid carers are living in poverty.

As a result of the intolerable financial pressures carers are facing, Carers UK is calling on the Government to urgently review the current support provided to unpaid carers through the social security system, reform Carer’s Allowance and increase the earnings threshold for carers who are able to continue with paid work alongside their caring responsibilities.

This report is funded by abrdn Financial Fairness Trust. Further reports based on the findings from the State of Caring 2024 will be published over the forthcoming months.