Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said:

 “The ongoing chronic shortage of social care services and care staff mean family members are left with no choice but to pick up more care. Unpaid carers are now providing more care than at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly those on the lowest incomes and this is impacting their finances and health and wellbeing.

“Before the pandemic, 600 people a day in the UK were leaving their jobs to care – this could be even higher now. Amidst the cost of living crisis, the large gaps in support are affecting the ability of thousands to stay in work and pay their rising bills. Too many are being pushed further into poverty.

“With hundreds of thousands of people now waiting for an assessment or service, sustainable funding for social care is essential. Without it, many families will simply be unable to cope – 73% of Social Services Directors have reported rising numbers of breakdowns of unpaid carer arrangements, according to ADASS.

“If Government brought forward a Recovery and Respite plan immediately it would bring unpaid carers of all ages the help they so urgently need, help swathes of people stay in work and sustain our hard-pressed health and care systems. We want to see an immediate investment of £1.5 billion in breaks for carers to help them cope and targeted financial support.”