Carers call on employers to help them access benefits and practical support

- Over two million people are faced with new caring responsibilities each year

- ëHidden carersí missing out on benefits, practical support and information

- Half of these new carers - around one million - will be in employment

Carers Rights Day 2006 - Friday 8 December
Every year over two million people in the UK become carers. They help make up the nationís six million carers who look after a friend, family member or loved one and save the economy an estimated 57 billion each year.

New statistics published today (Friday 8 December 2006) by leading charity Carers UK reveal that half of those new to caring, around one million carers, will be in employment. This Carers Rights Day, Carers UK is calling on businesses to both pave the way for them to access the benefits and support available to them, and reap the business benefits of supporting carers in the workplace.

The research also shows the shocking loss of income and support to that is rightfully theirs. As well as missing out on some 740 million of unclaimed benefits, carers are not getting the services or information they need, particularly in the vital first year of caring.

The new data is contained in a report, ëIn The Knowí, based on an in-depth survey of 265 carers to find out the difference that information and help makes to their lives. It is published to mark the seventh Carers Rights Day - a national day of action organised by Carers UK countrywide to raise awareness of carersí benefits and their rights under current legislation.

Key findings show that 65 per cent did not recognise themselves as carers in the first year of caring: for a third (32 per cent) recognition took over five years. As a consequence, one in three (33 per cent) believed they had missed out on benefits and pension entitlements, the majority (58 per cent) for over three years.

Jim Fitzpatrick MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Employment Relations says:
ìThe Government knows that it can be difficult for many people to balance their work life with their caring responsibilities. This is why we introduced the Work and Families Act, the biggest ever package of family-friendly employment policies in recent years.î

ìAfter consulting with carers groups, employees and business, we will be introducing a right to request flexible working to carers of adults. This will happen in April 2007 and could benefit up to 2.6 million carers. We have listened to the views of everyone who took part in the consultation to ensure that people get this vital employment right without placing unnecessary burdens on business.î

Carers UK is calling on employers to:
Signpost carers in the workplace to Carers UKís helpline, distribute advice booklets to staff or link to Carers UKís website so that carers get the help they need to enable them to juggle work and care.

Ensure good implementation of the new Work and Families Act, which comes into effect on 6 April 2007, including the groundbreaking new right for carers to request flexible working.

Encourage employees to talk about caring situations and have available information about their rights and entitlements. Some employers have found that setting up dedicated networks for carers has allowed them to support themselves.

Regularly review HR policies to ensure carers are recognised, and consider additional measure to help carers, such as paid emergency leave and ensuring they have access to a phone at all times.

Support those employees back into the workplace who have reached the end of an episode of caring.

Imelda Redmond, Chief Executive of Carers UK, says:
ìThree million people currently juggle work and care, and this dual role will become more common. With an ageing population we will need millions more people to care in the coming years. It is vital that employers tackle this issue now, before this becomes an unsolvable problem.î

ìResearch has shown that those employers leading the way in this have enjoyed benefits to their bottom line. Supporting carers in the workplace with just a little bit of flexibility reduces sick leave, results in a more loyal and productive workforce, and helps employers attract and retain trained and skilled staff. In addition, it may not be an expensive policy to adopt.î

ìBusinesses also have an important role in helping to reach carers in that vital first year of caring. By encouraging employees to raise caring issues, and making sure HR departments and management are aware of the issues they face, employers will help reduce the stress and burden on carers. Even the comparatively small step of highlighting this issue in company newsletters and on notice boards will spread the message and help more people take the first step and recognise themselves as carers.î

Carers Rights Day is being marked throughout the country with an unprecedented 770 local and national events. For more information go to: www.carersuk.org/carersrightsday

Carers UK has produced ëLooking After Someone ñ a guide to carersí rights and benefitsí for all carers, available from www.carersuk.org or by calling CarersLine, which is able to offer advice on any caring situation, on 0808 808 7777.