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We’re here to make life better for the 5.8 million carers across the UK. 

 

Who is a carer? 

A carer is a person of any age who provides unpaid care and support to a family member, friend or neighbour who is disabled, has an illness or long-term condition, or who needs extra help as they grow older. 

 

Why caring matters 

Carers are holding families together, enabling those they care for to get the most out of life, making an enormous contribution to society and saving the economy billions of pounds. 

Yet many are stretched to the limit – juggling care with work and family life, struggling to make ends meet and often battling with poor health themselves.  

 

 

You don’t have to care alone 

Looking after someone can be a rewarding experience. It can also be tough, lonely and bewildering. But you’re not on your own. Carers UK is here to listen, to give you expert information and guidance, to champion your rights and support you in finding new ways to manage at home, at work, or wherever you are. 

Latest updates

News
60th Anniversary Stories: In Praise of Young Carers – Pearls (Poem)
09 December 25
To mark Carers UK's 60th Anniversary in Scotland, we are using our platform to share the stories of carers across the nation, illustrating the diverse range of carer experiences in 2025.
News
Carers Scotland 60th Anniversary Reception and Exhibition
01 December 25
60 years of campaigning for change for unpaid carers 
Press Release
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Government confirms benefit increases for 2026-27, including rise in Carer’s Allowance and earnings threshold
28 November 25
Unpaid carers will see an increase in carer-related benefits as part of annual government upratings from April 2026, including Carer’s Allowance. 
Press Release
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Autumn budget reaction from Carers UK
26 November 25
The Chancellor has earmarked £75 million over the next three years to put right the failures that led to the Carer’s Allowance overpayments scandal. Yesterday’s commitment to reassess cases where averaging of earnings could have reduced overpayments is a vital step towards addressing the injustices carers have faced for far too long.

Got a question about caring?

Every day we hear from people who need help with looking after a friend or family member

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