Britain’s shadow workforce is paid as little as 65p an hour. Who cares for the carers?
@francesryan.bsky.social

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/apr/11/carers-allowance-britain-unpaid-workforce

April 11, 2026 - 09:59 UTC

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Even if they don't actually pay for it, I think they ought to account for it at at least minimum wage so that the contribution to the economy can be properly measured. Overnight apparently "economically inactive" people would be properly recognised as huge net contributors. 1/2
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Also measuring the contribution properly would help develop policy because costs and benefits could be better estimated. 2/2
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And in much the same vein: www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly9z5d1y34o

I wonder what the company boss gets in terms of a multiple of his/her workers' pay.
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No one would say this is something to be proud of, but no one has demonstrated how the economy could pay them their worth. You see the occasional 'drop this', 'raise that tax', but none of these are costed. My take, the person earning 70% of median should be able to run house & family. Aim for that.
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No one, it seems.
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As a full time unpaid carer working a minimum of 84 hours/week in my caring role I can say with confidence that no-one does. How is it legal we are so blatantly exploited, everyone knows about it yet nothing is done about it?
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Successive governments have relied on unpaid family carers to save billions per year. And then people get severely penalised if they get a part time job on the side. Under 70 quid a week, sometimes working all hours.
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How do we define "full time" carer. I'm a live in carer for a 97yo family member. He doesn't need full time attention - but I do need to be around as much as possible in case of emergencies.
(That includes being on hand if necessary during the night).
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It severely limits my ability to get away, either for a day or evening out, or for a short holiday.
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CA was set up originally to "compensate" men who had to give up work to look after a disabled person. After an equality court case it was extended to women, and (obviously) exploded. It has never been properly funded or promoted as a benefit for carers. Hence the mess it is now.
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That's not even mentioning the hard cut off earnings limit which was £50 p/w for years and years until it was changed to match the lower earnings limit for NI.
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I was full time carer for my mum for 6 years (with my brother’s assistance). I received Carer’s Credit (NI stamp), but didn’t qualify for Carer’s Allowance, so wasn’t paid anything.
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I was a sole carer for my wife for eight years until she passed away last October. I'm now classed as being economically inactive for that period of my life. The way they think a person contributes to society needs a massive overhaul.
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