UK's Unpaid Carers Earn Equivalent of 65p an Hour Amid Social Care Crisis
This opinion piece by Frances Ryan highlights the severe undervaluation of Britain's nearly six million unpaid carers, describing them as a 'shadow workforce.' As Carer’s Allowance marks its 50th anniversary, the article argues that the current benefit rate fails to reflect the intense labor provided by family members caring for sick, disabled, and elderly relatives. The number of people providing full-time unpaid care in England has surged by 70% over the last two decades due to stalled reforms and resource shortages in the social care system. Through the case study of Nessa, a disabled mother caring for her son with complex needs, the author illustrates the physical and emotional toll on carers. Despite working approximately 133 hours a week, Nessa receives only £86.45 weekly, equating to roughly 65p per hour. The article criticizes the normalization of families filling gaps in the National Health Service and social care infrastructure, urging for greater recognition and financial support for these essential but invisible workers who sustain the care system through unpaid labor.
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UK's Unpaid Carers Earn Equivalent of 65p an Hour Amid Social Care Crisis
This opinion piece by Frances Ryan highlights the severe undervaluation of Britain's nearly six million unpaid carers, describing them as a 'shadow workforce.' As Carer’s Allowance marks its 50th anniversary, the article argues that the current benefit rate fails to reflect the intense labor provided by family members caring for sick, disabled, and elderly relatives. The number of people providing full-time unpaid care in England has surged by 70% over the last two decades due to stalled reforms and resource shortages in the social care system. Through the case study of Nessa, a disabled mother caring for her son with complex needs, the author illustrates the physical and emotional toll on carers. Despite working approximately 133 hours a week, Nessa receives only £86.45 weekly, equating to roughly 65p per hour. The article criticizes the normalization of families filling gaps in the National Health Service and social care infrastructure, urging for greater recognition and financial support for these essential but invisible workers who sustain the care system through unpaid labor.
The Guardian