More than a quarter of Scotland's unpaid carers living in poverty, new research finds

New research has revealed that 28% of unpaid carers in Scotland are significantly more likely to be living in poverty.

A report published by WPI Economics for Carers UK found that as many as 100,000 unpaid carers in the country are living in poverty, with one in 12 living in “deep poverty”.

The research, funded by abrdn Financial Fairness Trust, states the struggle to balance paid work with their care responsibilities is one of the main causes.

Many unpaid carers decide to leave their jobs or reduce their working hours to ensure they are on hand to provide the care needed.

Other key factors include high housing costs, lack of support and access to social care services and the inadequacy of social security.

Now Carers Scotland is calling on the UK and Scottish governments to review the Carer Support Payment, which provides carers with up to £81.90 a week, and to increase carer top-ups for those on means tested benefits such as Universal Credit.

The charity is also urging the Scottish Government to deliver its commitment to pilot a minimum income guarantee for unpaid carers across the country

Fiona Collie, head of public affairs and communications for Carers Scotland, said: “It’s deeply disturbing and shocking to hear that as many as 100,000 unpaid carers in Scotland are living in poverty.

“Every day across the country, the care they provide helps to hold society together, and too many are finding themselves in precarious financial positions as a result. Relatively small increases to support can have a big impact on carers’ lives and lift many thousands out of poverty.

“Many carers face huge challenges juggling paid work and unpaid care. We need better support for carers in paid work, and to see visible change for those facing high costs linked to caring by the planned National Care Service meeting the needs of unpaid carers and supports them to continue with paid work, where they are able to combine this with their caring role.

“Carers who are struggling financially, caring for more hours, and caring over a longer period of time are under immense pressure. They urgently need proper support, new rights and legal protections to ensure that they are not penalised as a result of their caring role.”

Vivienne Jackson, programme manager at abrdn Financial Fairness Trust, added: “The care system would collapse without the vital people who provide unpaid care.

“It’s not right that those who provide essential services to some of the most vulnerable people in our society are living in poverty. Government and employers need to work together to help lift carers out of poverty.”

Social justice minister Shirley Anne Somerville said the government is committed to the wellbeing of carers in Scotland

Somerville said: “Scotland’s unpaid carers make an invaluable contribution to our communities.

“Since 2018, we have invested more than £306m so that carers continuously in receipt of our Carer’s Allowance Supplement are better off by more than £3,300.

“This year, we are providing £78m more than we get from the UK Government through our three Scotland-only carer benefits.

“This investment will ensure the Carer Support Payment is available nationally in November, extending entitlement to support up to 1,500 full-time student carers.

“We are also committed to supporting the wellbeing of carers, including introducing statutory rights to a break from caring, as part of legislation to establish a new National Care Service.”

A UK Government spokesperson added: “Our country would grind to a halt without the millions of carers who provide care and continuity of support for vulnerable people every day. We recognise the challenges they are facing, and we are determined to provide unpaid carers with the support they deserve.”