Local Government Association | December 2018 | Supporting carers: guidance and case studies
6.5 million people in the UK are classed as carers, a figure equivalent to 10 per cent of the population. This includes the more than 3 million carers between the ages of 50 and 64 (2 million) and 65+ (1.3 million). As well as approximately 166,000 under 18s with caring
responsibilities in England currently. The majority of carers (approximately 40 per cent), care for their parents or parents-in-law, while over a quarter look after their spouse or partner. Caring for disabled children, both adult and under 18, accounts for 1 in 7 cases.
The care that is provided by carers is worth an estimated £132 billion, about the same amount that is spent on the NHS in England.

Key statistics
- 1 in 10 people are carers
- 40 per cent increase in carers predicted over next 20 years
- £132 billion worth of care provided by carers
- 1 in 5 carers are aged over 65
- 1.4 million carers provide over 50 hours of care a week
- 7 in 10 have suffered mental ill health and 6 in 10 physical ill health from caring
- 166,363 young carers in England – a fifth higher than a decade previously
- 1 in 12 young carers is caring for more than 15 hours a week
- 1 in 20 misses school because of their caring responsibilities
- young carers are 1.5 times more likely to have a long-term illness, special educational needs or a disability
- there are 670,000 unpaid carers of people with dementia in the UK
- two thirds of people with dementia live at home and most are supported by unpaid carers.
The pressures of being a carer can place a burden on physical and mental health. Carers
are more likely to suffer depression, anxiety and stress and nearly two-thirds of carers
have a long-standing health condition.
Supporting carers: guidance and case studies, a publication from Local Government Association highlights current examples of how councils support adult and young carers locally in a range of different ways from respite breaks to discount cards to tailored information and advice.
The publication includes a case study from Carers Leeds (Source: Local Government Association).