One in 10 carers cannot afford their rent or mortgage, according to a study from Carers UK published today.
The research also found that a third of carers are in debt, and that those who quit their jobs or reduce their working hours lost an average of £11,050 last year.
Carers UK estimates that one in five of the UK’s 4.4m carers of working age have to give up their jobs to provide care. Carers allowance is £48.65 a week but only those earning under £95 a week are eligible.
Imelda Redmond, chief executive of Carers UK, said: “Besides the monetary penalties of caring there are other negative consequences to giving up work, such as the loss of workplace skills, social isolation and reduced confidence.”
The charity, which released the data to mark Carers Rights Day, is calling for an overhaul of provision for carers and greater investment in social care.
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