Half of Wales’ Unpaid Carers Now Cutting Back on Essentials Amid Deepening Crisis

• More than half of unpaid carers (52%) are cutting back on essentials like food and heating – a staggering 53% increase from 34% in 2024.
• More than 1 in 3 carers (36%) have taken out loans, used credit cards, or overdrafts because of caring – a 33% increase on 2024 findings.
• 42% of carers are struggling to afford the costs directly relating to caring, while 51% are worried about living costs and whether they can manage in the future.
• Around 4 in 10 carers (39%) say their mental health is bad or very bad as a result of their caring role, and more than three quarters (77%) feel stressed or anxious.

Unpaid carers in Wales are experiencing a deepening financial crisis, with a dramatic rise in the number forced to make impossible choices between heating their homes and feeding themselves. The new State of Caring in Wales 2025: The Cost of Caring report reveals that financial pressures on carers have intensified at an alarming rate, with many now on the brink of financial collapse.

Of the over 900 carers responding to this year's survey, a quarter (25%) said they are struggling to make ends meet and 11% are in debt as a result of caring. The situation has deteriorated sharply over the past year, with the number of carers cutting back on essentials rising by more than half compared to 2024.

Carers are increasingly turning to debt to survive their caring roles. More than a third (36%) have taken out bank loans, used credit cards, or relied on overdrafts – a 33% increase in just one year. For carers who are already struggling to make ends meet, this figure rises to nearly two-thirds (65%).

The human cost of this financial crisis is profound. Nearly 4 in 10 carers (39%) report their mental health is bad or very bad, while 69% have been forced to cut back on hobbies and social activities – a 21% increase from 2023. More than three quarters (77%) feel stressed or anxious, and two-thirds (66%) struggle to get a good night's sleep.

Many carers described taking drastic measures to cope with rising costs:

• "I skip meals most days to cover my costs. Financial support is a joke."
• "Whatever I do, I never have enough. There is always money going out and I can't stop the run. Short term debt is how we survive."
• "Even skipping meals and not buying any new clothes is not enough to keep me out of debt."

The financial burden is particularly acute for carers receiving social security benefits. 42% of carers in receipt of Carer's Allowance – the UK's lowest benefit at just £83.30 per week – are struggling to make ends meet, and 64% are worried about living costs and whether they can manage in the future.

Two-thirds of carers (66%) say their caring role has prevented them from focusing on their career, while nearly 3 in 10 employed carers (29%) have reduced their working hours because of care. This creates a devastating cycle where carers lose income just as their expenses increase, pushing them deeper into poverty.

There are over 310,000 unpaid carers in Wales providing care for ill, older or disabled family members or friends. Research estimates that it would cost over £10 billion per year to replace the care they provide – equivalent to the entire NHS Wales budget. Yet around 100,000 unpaid carers in Wales are living in poverty, with carers 30% more likely to be in poverty than the general population and 50% more likely to be in deep poverty.

Rob Simkins, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at Carers Wales, said: "This report reveals a crisis that is accelerating at a frightening pace. In just one year, we've seen a 53% increase in carers forced to cut back on essentials like food and heating. These are not statistics – they are our family members, friends and neighbours who are skipping meals, falling into debt, and sacrificing their own health to care for loved ones.

Wales cannot continue to rely on hundreds of thousands of people providing billions of pounds worth of care while simultaneously pushing them into poverty and ill health. The system is broken and carers are paying the price with their physical and mental well-being, their careers, and their financial security.

We need urgent action from both the Welsh and UK Governments. This means proper financial support through reforms to Carer's Allowance, a Carer's Allowance Supplement for Wales, and ensuring carers can access the social care support they are legally entitled to. Without immediate intervention, we're heading towards a carer crisis that will utterly overwhelm our health and social care system. The time for action is now."

- ENDS -

Notes to Editors

Carers Wales carried out an online State of Caring survey between June and August 2025, receiving over 10,500 responses from unpaid carers across the UK, including over 900 in Wales.

Of the respondents currently caring to the survey:

• 63% are caring for more than 50 hours a week
• 74% of respondents were aged 18-64 years and 26% were aged 65 and over
• The biggest proportion of respondents were in the 55-64 year category (39%)
• 84% of respondents were female, 15% were male
• 30% of respondents had a disability

About Carers Wales

Carers Wales is part of Carers UK, a charity led by carers, for carers – our mission is to make life better for carers.

• We give expert advice, information, and support
• We connect carers so no-one has to care alone
• We campaign together for lasting change
• We innovate to find new ways to reach and support carers

For practical advice and information about caring, go to www.carersuk.org or email advice@carersuk.org or call our helpline on 0808 808 7777.

Website: https://www.carersuk.org/wales/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carerswales/

Twitter: @CarersWales

Instagram: @CarersWales

Media contact

Please contact the Carers Wales press office for more information or interviews on:

• Tel: 029 2081 1370 / externalaffairs@carerswales.org

Carers UK is a charity registered in England and Wales (246329) and in Scotland (SC039307) and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales (864097).

Hanner Gofalwyr Di-dâl Cymru Nawr yn Torri’n Ôl ar Hanfodion yng Nghanol Argyfwng sy’n Dyfnhau

• Mae mwy na hanner y gofalwyr di-dâl (52%) yn torri’n ôl ar hanfodion fel bwyd a gwres – cynnydd anhygoel o 53% o gymharu â 34% yn 2024.

• Mae mwy nag 1 o bob 3 gofalwr (36%) wedi cymryd benthyciadau, defnyddio cardiau credyd neu orddrafftiau oherwydd eu rôl ofalu – cynnydd o 33% o’i gymharu â chanfyddiadau 2024.

• Mae 42% o ofalwyr yn ei chael hi’n anodd fforddio’r costau sy’n uniongyrchol gysylltiedig â gofalu, tra bod 51% yn poeni am gostau byw a’r dyfodol.

• Mae tua 4 o bob 10 gofalwr (39%) yn dweud bod eu hiechyd meddwl yn wael neu’n wael iawn oherwydd eu rôl ofalu, ac mae mwy na thair rhan o bedair (77%) yn teimlo dan straen neu’n bryderus.

Mae gofalwyr di-dâl yng Nghymru yn profi argyfwng ariannol sy’n gwaethygu, gyda chynnydd dramatig yn nifer y rhai sy’n cael eu gorfodi i wneud dewis amhosibl rhwng cynhesu eu cartrefi neu fwydo eu hunain. Mae’r adroddiad newydd Cyflwr Gofalu yng Nghymru 2025: Cost Gofalu yn datgelu bod y pwysau ariannol ar ofalwyr wedi dwysáu ar gyfradd ddychrynllyd, gyda llawer bellach ar fin chwalu’n ariannol.

O’r dros 900 o ofalwyr a ymatebodd i arolwg eleni, dywedodd chwarter (25%) eu bod yn ei chael hi’n anodd dod â’r pen llinyn ynghyd ac mae 11% mewn dyled o ganlyniad i’w rôl ofalu. Mae’r sefyllfa wedi dirywio’n sydyn dros y flwyddyn ddiwethaf, gyda’r nifer sy’n torri’n ôl ar hanfodion wedi cynyddu o fwy na hanner ers 2024.

Mae gofalwyr yn troi fwyfwy at ddyled i oroesi. Mae mwy na thraean (36%) wedi cymryd benthyciadau banc, defnyddio cardiau credyd neu ddibynnu ar orddrafftiau – cynnydd o 33% mewn dim ond un flwyddyn. Ymhlith y rhai sydd eisoes yn ei chael hi’n anodd cyrraedd pen llinyn ariannol, mae’r ffigwr hwn yn codi i bron ddwy ran o dair (65%).

Mae cost ddynol yr argyfwng ariannol hwn yn ddwys. Mae bron i 4 o bob 10 gofalwr (39%) yn adrodd bod eu hiechyd meddwl yn wael neu’n wael iawn, tra bod 69% wedi gorfod torri’n ôl ar weithgareddau cymdeithasol a hobïau – cynnydd o 21% o’i gymharu â 2023. Mae mwy na thair rhan o bedair (77%) yn teimlo dan straen neu’n bryderus, ac mae dwy ran o dair (66%) yn ei chael hi’n anodd cael noson dda o gwsg.

Mae llawer o ofalwyr wedi disgrifio cymryd camau eithafol i ymdopi â’r costau cynyddol:

• “Rwy’n hepgor prydau bwyd ar y mwyafrif o ddiwrnodau i dalu fy nghostau. Mae’r cymorth ariannol yn jôc.”

• “Beth bynnag a wnawn, nid oes digon erioed. Mae arian yn mynd allan yn barhaus ac ni allaf ei atal. Dyled tymor byr yw’r unig ffordd i ni oroesi.”

• “Hyd yn oed ar ôl hepgor prydau a pheidio â phrynu dillad newydd, nid yw’n ddigon i’m cadw allan o ddyled.”

Mae’r baich ariannol yn arbennig o ddifrifol i’r rhai sy’n derbyn budd-daliadau lles cymdeithasol. Mae 42% o ofalwyr sy’n derbyn Lwfans Gofalwr – y budd-dal isaf yn y DU ar ddim ond £83.30 yr wythnos – yn ei chael hi’n anodd dod â’r pen llinyn ynghyd, ac mae 64% yn poeni am gostau byw a’u gallu i ymdopi yn y dyfodol.

Mae dwy ran o dair o ofalwyr (66%) yn dweud bod eu rôl ofalu wedi eu hatal rhag canolbwyntio ar eu gyrfa, tra bod bron i 3 o bob 10 (29%) o ofalwyr cyflogedig wedi lleihau eu horiau gwaith oherwydd gofalu. Mae hyn yn creu cylch dinistriol lle mae gofalwyr yn colli incwm ar yr un pryd ag y mae eu treuliau’n cynyddu, gan eu gwthio’n ddyfnach i dlodi.

Mae dros 310,000 o ofalwyr di-dâl yng Nghymru yn darparu gofal i aelodau teulu neu ffrindiau sy’n sâl, yn hŷn neu’n anabl. Amcangyfrifir y byddai’n costio dros £10 biliwn y flwyddyn i ddisodli’r gofal hwn – sy’n gyfwerth â chyllideb gyfan GIG Cymru. Serch hynny, mae tua 100,000 o ofalwyr di-dâl yng Nghymru yn byw mewn tlodi, gyda gofalwyr 30% yn fwy tebygol o fod mewn tlodi na’r boblogaeth gyffredinol ac 50% yn fwy tebygol o fod mewn tlodi dwfn.

Dywedodd Rob Simkins, Pennaeth Polisi a Materion Cyhoeddus Carers Wales:

“Mae’r adroddiad hwn yn datgelu argyfwng sy’n cyflymu ar gyflymder brawychus. Mewn dim ond blwyddyn, rydym wedi gweld cynnydd o 53% yn nifer y gofalwyr sy’n gorfod torri’n ôl ar hanfodion fel bwyd a gwres. Nid ystadegau yn unig yw’r rhain – maent yn aelodau ein teuluoedd, ein ffrindiau a’n cymdogion sy’n hepgor prydau, yn mynd i ddyled, ac yn aberthu eu hiechyd eu hunain i ofalu am anwyliaid.

Ni all Cymru barhau i ddibynnu ar gannoedd o filoedd o bobl sy’n darparu biliynau o bunnoedd gwerth o ofal tra’n eu gwthio i dlodi ac i broblemau iechyd. Mae’r system wedi torri, ac mae gofalwyr yn talu’r pris gyda’u hiechyd corfforol a meddyliol, eu gyrfaoedd, a’u diogelwch ariannol.

Rhaid i Lywodraethau Cymru a’r DU weithredu ar fyrder. Mae hyn yn golygu darparu cefnogaeth ariannol briodol drwy ddiwygio Lwfans Gofalwr, cyflwyno Atodiad Lwfans Gofalwr i Gymru, a sicrhau bod gofalwyr yn gallu cael mynediad i’r cymorth gofal cymdeithasol y maent yn gymwys i’w dderbyn yn ôl y gyfraith. Heb ymyrraeth ar unwaith, rydym ar fin wynebu argyfwng gofalwyr a allai lethu ein system iechyd a gofal cymdeithasol yn llwyr. Mae’r amser i weithredu yn awr.”

- DIWEDD -

Nodiadau i’r Golygydd

Cynhaliodd Carers Wales arolwg ar-lein “State of Caring” rhwng Mehefin ac Awst 2025, gan dderbyn dros 10,500 o ymatebion gan ofalwyr di-dâl ledled y DU, gan gynnwys dros 900 o Gymru.

O’r rhai a ofalai ar adeg yr arolwg:

• Roedd 63% yn darparu gofal am fwy na 50 awr yr wythnos

• Roedd 74% yn 18–64 oed ac 26% yn 65 oed neu’n hŷn

• Roedd y grŵp oedran mwyaf cyffredin yn 55–64 oed (39%)

• Roedd 84% o’r ymatebwyr yn fenywod, 15% yn wrywod

• Roedd 30% o’r ymatebwyr ag anabledd eu hunain

Ynghylch Carers Wales

Mae Carers Wales yn rhan o Carers UK, elusen a arweinir gan ofalwyr, ar gyfer gofalwyr – ein cenhadaeth yw gwneud bywyd yn well i ofalwyr.

• Rydym yn rhoi cyngor, gwybodaeth a chymorth arbenigol

• Rydym yn cysylltu gofalwyr fel nad oes neb yn gorfod gofalu ar ei ben ei hun

• Rydym yn ymgyrchu gyda’n gilydd dros newid parhaol

• Rydym yn arloesi i ddod o hyd i ffyrdd newydd o gyrraedd a chefnogi gofalwyr

Am gyngor ac wybodaeth ymarferol am ofalu, ewch i www.carersuk.org neu e-bostiwch advice@carersuk.org, neu ffoniwch ein llinell gymorth ar 0808 808 7777.

Gwefan: https://www.carersuk.org/wales/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carerswales/
Twitter: @CarersWales
Instagram: @CarersWales

Cyswllt Cyfryngau
Cysylltwch â swyddfa wasg Carers Wales am ragor o wybodaeth neu gyfweliadau:

• Ffôn: 029 2081 1370 / externalaffairs@carerswales.org

Mae Carers UK yn elusen gofrestredig yng Nghymru a Lloegr (246329) ac yn yr Alban (SC039307) ac yn gwmni cyfyngedig drwy warant, wedi’i gofrestru yng Nghymru a Lloegr (864097).