Zarah ChoudharyResearch by the Carer Poverty Commission (CPC) shows that policies to support unpaid carers, such as flexible working, paid leave and improved social care provisions, could prevent thousands leaving employment in Northern Ireland.
The CPC estimated that a combination of flexible working and paid carer’s leave could increase the number of unpaid carers in employment in Northern Ireland by more than 6,000. Other carers could be supported to increase their hours.
The changes could raise over £100m in taxes and reduce benefit spending by over £40m.
Employers could save over £27m from increased employee retention as well as the additional benefits of increased productivity and improved staff wellbeing.
Improvement in social care provision could support more than 1,800 local carers into employment, raising over £20m in taxes and reducing benefit spending by over £11m.
Previous research from CPC revealed that one in three carers in Northern Ireland leave work due to caring commitments, and than 55% of unemployed carers were living in poverty.
The poverty rate for those in employment is much lower at 14%.
Derek, who cares for his parents and his aunt, said: “The cost of everything just keeps on rising.
“Food, fuel, taxi costs – they are double what they were. I am working two jobs as well as caring for family members just to get by.”
Sally, who cares for her daughter who has additional needs, told Carers UK: “Balancing any sort of employment with caring for my daughter is so difficult.
“But I want to work. I want to bring in a wage to help with the costs.
“Caring for my daughter is very rewarding – I would never give that up but if I had more support from employers and the health and social care system it would make it so much more manageable and enable me to bring in a better wage and keep us out of debt.”
Natasha, who cares for her two adult children and has access to some support, said: “I love my job.
“Going to work is important to me. It is like a form of respite. I get a break away from caring and time to talk to other people and make social connections.
“My job also means I can bring in a wage to support myself and my children. My employer offers flexible working and paid emergency carer’s leave.
“Both my children avail of day services in adult centres and community transport. Without these I would never be able to do the job I am doing.”
Angela Phillips, senior policy officer at Carers NI, said: “Many unpaid carers want to continue in employment alongside their caring role, but do not get the opportunity to do so because of a lack of support, which can lead to financial hardship and poverty.
“Workplace supports, and improved provision of social care can help unpaid carers to enter or remain in employment and bring in a wage as well as balance caring with paid work.
“It is also a huge benefit to employers saving them millions per year in recruitment costs as well as having a significant impact on our economy with massive savings on benefit spending and increased gains in taxes. It is a win win for everyone.
“We have a real opportunity in Northern Ireland to make these supports a reality for our unpaid carers.
“The Executive must include flexibility and paid carer’s leave within the Good Jobs Bill, and it must commit to fully funding the recommendations from the reform of adult social care.
“The narrative must move from what these supports cost to what benefits they bring to ensure unpaid carers get the support they need and not the poverty so many suffer.”
