Carers Wales mark the implementation of the Carer’s Leave Act with new findings on carers in employment

There are nearly 145,000 people in employment and providing unpaid care in Wales, 121,000 of which are employees.
28,000 people in Wales in employment are also providing over 50 hours of unpaid care per week.
An additional 30,000 people in Wales in employment are also providing 20-49 hours of unpaid care per week.

Unpaid carers, leading politicians and employers across Wales mark the implementation of the Carers Leave Act and new findings on working carers in the Senedd today, with the new Minister for Social Care, Dawn Bowden MS. The report outlines why the newly implemented Carers Leave Act is so important in helping unpaid carers to better balance their care commitments with paid work.

43% of unpaid carers in work are employed in public administration, education and health settings.
18% work in distribution, hotels and restaurants.
12% work in finance, real estate and professional or administrative activities, as well as manufacturing (7%), transport and comms (6%) and construction (6%).

Unpaid care is a demanding and challenging role which impacts on people’s health and well-being. Unpaid carers are also disproportionately impacted by the cost of living crisis and financial hardship. Research shows that in Wales every year between 2010-20 approximately 93,000 people in paid employment became unpaid carers – over 250 people every day.

79% of carers said the impact of caring on their physical and mental health would be a challenge.
72% of carers said they found it difficult to get a good night’s sleep. This increased to 90% for people caring for over 50 hours a week.
66% of carers felt the increase in the cost of living was having a negative impact on their physical and/or mental health.
60% of carers were worried about the impact of caring responsibilities on their finances
76% of carers were worried about being unable to provide care in the future.

For full information please see the attachments or go to https://www.carersuk.org/press-releases/carers-wales-mark-the-implementation-of-the-carer-s-leave-act-with-new-findings-on-carers-in-employment-mae-gofalwyr-cymru-yn-nodi-gweithredur-ddeddf-absenoldeb-gofalwyr-gyda-chanfyddiadau-newydd-ar-ofalwyr-mewn-cyflogaeth/