Latest news and features

Carers UK has issued a statement in response to the Conservative announcement of a policy for payment of residential care fees. Commenting on the Conservative party's new policy to prevent people from selling their homes to pay for residential care, Imelda Redmond, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said: "Following the Prime Minister's announcement on free personal care for the elderly last week, we are now…

Carers UK has reacted to a report from the Committee of Public Accounts (Supporting Carers to care, 42nd Report of Session 2008-09) which reveals that carers find it hard to access state benefits and employment support because of confusing and complex processes and poor communication from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Launching the report, Edward Leigh MP, Chairman of Committee, said: "The value…

The Government's news release can be viewed here. Employers for Carers has produced a guide for employers and carers about the process of applying for flexible working. The guide includes a sample application form and a summary of rights and responsibilities.  You can order a copy of Carers and Employment: a guide to the right to request flexible working by visiting the Resources page. Employers…

In the future most people's lives will include at least one episode of unpaid caring. The latest figures on carers are from the 2001 Census. This showed that there are nearly 6 million carers in the UK. This is 10% of the total population, or approximately 12% of the adult population. 58% of carers are women and 42% are men. Carers and employment – facts…