A new survey from Wales TUC has found that large numbers of working carers are still having to either give up their jobs, or reduce their hours, in order to manage their caring responsibilities.
Working Carers
The problem of balancing work commitment with caring responsibilities has been brought very much to forefront of the political agenda in recent years by organisations, such as Carers UK, who have been campaigning for greater support for carers, as well as paid leave for working carers.
Several pieces of research in recent years have highlighted the problems faced by working carers, including the following:-
- Research published by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) back in June 2020 found that 24% of carers had actively considered giving up their jobs. The same research also found that 44% of working carers were finding it difficult to balance their careers with their caring commitments
- A report published back in November 2021 by Carers UK revealed that 62% of carers had had to sacrifice career opportunities, as part of balancing their caring responsibilities with their work, whilst 72% of carers remain concerned about whether they will continue to be able to combine work with their caring responsibilities
- The results of a survey released by Carers UK in June 2021 showed that carers had lost out on 25 hours of support per month on average during the Covid-19 pandemic.
- Analysis carried out by Hargreaves Lansdown In June 2021 found that having to give up work at the age of 50 to become a full time carer, can cost that individual almost £500,000.00 in lost earnings on average
As the population is aging, the need to address these problems is becoming ever more pressing, and it is hardly surprising therefore that it is rising up the political agenda
The new research carried out by Wales TUC found that the situation facing working carers remains difficult. The survey of carers in Wales found that:-
- 149,812 carers in Wales had had to give up their job
- 74,906 carers in Wales had had to reduce their working hours
- The statistical odds on any one person becoming a carer by the age of 45 is now 50/50%
- The main obstacle to remaining in employment for carers is a lack of flexible working
The General Secretary of Wales TUC, Shavanah Taj, stated: "No one should be forced to stop working or be unable to progress in their career because of their caring responsibilities. As more and more of us take on these responsibilities while we’re still working, employers need to step up and provide workers with the support and flexibility they need and provide paid carers leave."
Unpaid Leave
Carers UK have been campaigning for paid leave for working carers. Whilst the Government has so far failed to endorse paid leave, back in September 2021 the Government did commit to introducing a new statutory right to one weeks (i.e. five working days) unpaid leave for carers. This measure will almost certainly form part of the new Employment Bill, which is expected later this year.
Whilst the new right to 1 week’s leave for working carers will be unpaid, as opposed to paid, Carers UK described the announcement as “an important step forward.”
The Health and Social Care Levy
Back on the 7th September 2021, the Government announced that a Health and Social Care Levy would be introduced to help fund social care. From April 2022, this will initially be funded by an increase in National Insurance contributions (NICs) of 1.25%, with dividend tax rates increasing by the same percentage rate.
From April 2023, a new tax in the form of a 1.25% surcharge will replace the NICs increase. The delay in introducing the new tax was to provide the HMRC with additional time to set up on their IT systems
