Using data from Understanding Society, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation analysed unpaid carers between 2011 and 2012, and 2019 and 2020. They found that unpaid carers transition in to poverty at a higher rate than adults overall, and exit poverty at a lower rate once there. Poverty entry rates are particularly high among new carers and those who become a carer unexpectedly.
When they looked at the factors that can push unpaid carers into poverty, they found that events like moving out of paid work, or having a reduction in household earnings account for most of the transitions into poverty for unpaid child-carers. For unpaid social-carers, falls in income from benefits like Universal Credit account for the majority of moves into poverty. As with child-carers, exiting paid work is also significant in pushing people into poverty.
We know that much of the hardship faced by unpaid carers reflects a tension between paid work and unpaid care, along with inadequacies in the benefits system and statutory leave policies. In particular, many unpaid carers are forced to exit paid work or reduce their working hours, often with little in the way of income replacement.”
Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Read the report: What pushes unpaid carers into poverty?
Our news stories highlight a selection of research using Understanding Society data. The views and findings of the research featured are the author’s own. If you have questions about the research featured in this story, please contact the author of the research.
Family and householdsIncome and expenditure
