Carers UK analysis of the Census 2021 in England and Wales found that nearly 2.5m people in employment are providing unpaid care in England and Wales, with 433,000 of those providing significant levels of unpaid care. 

People in employment providing unpaid care are more likely than those without caring responsibilities to be working part-time. 38% of carers in employment are working part-time compared with 29% of non-carers in employment.

Carers UK analysis of the NHS staff survey found that one third of NHS staff in England (32%) are providing unpaid care. Carers UK estimate this to be over half a million people. 

Although the most common industry for people to work in, regardless of caring status, is public administration, education and health, a higher proportion of unpaid carers in employment are working in this industry compared with non-carers in employment (39% vs 30%). 976,000 carers are working in public administration, education and health.

Unpaid carers in employment caring for over 50 hours a week are more likely to be working in elementary occupations than carers in employment caring for 19 hours or less (12% compared with 7%). They are less likely to be working in professional occupations (15% compared with 22%), and less likely to be working as managers, directors and senior officials (11% compared with 14%).