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Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
How employers can help support Britain's ‘invisible army' of three million carers
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) EACH week, around three million people clock off from their jobs and start a second, unpaid, role as a carer. This unsung and often invisible army of helpers keeps the nation functioning, providing vital support to elderly or disabled family members and friends. 3 Rumana Akthair is an IT security apprentice for Virgin Media O2 and a carer Credit: Supplied Estimates vary but between seven to nine per cent of the workforce also have caring responsibilities, with charity Employers For Carers saying that 59 per cent of these are women. Not-for-profit organisation Carers UK estimates that two-thirds of us will become a carer at some point in our lives, with up to 600 people a day quitting work to do this. However, juggling such responsibilities with work is a huge challenge. Studies show that 44 per cent of carers in employment have developed mental or physical health conditions, while a quarter have reduced their working hours in order to cope. It is Carers Week, with employers being urged to identify carers within their workforce and put support in place to retain them. Helen Walker, chief executive of Carers UK, said: 'It takes two years on average for someone to identify themselves as a carer. 'As a result, they often don't come forward for support in the workplace and can miss out on vital help. "This is why we encourage employers to raise awareness among managers and staff.' This year's Carers Week theme is Caring About Equality, highlighting that those looking after family members or friends face a greater risk of poverty, social isolation and poor mental and physical health. Helen added: 'One of the main drivers of poverty is the difficulty of combining paid work with unpaid care. 'We are urging more employers to go further in adopting more carer-friendly measures in the workplace and make a difference for those able to juggle work and care.' One of the main ways employers can support staff is with flexible working. Research from insurance agency the Phoenix Group found that two in five working carers would not have a job without flexible working. Alongside this, an increasing number of firms are offering paid carer's leave. While the Carer's Leave Act 2023 gives employees the right to five days of unpaid leave, Virgin Media O2 offers five paid days while the TSB gives 70 hours each year. Rumana Akthair is an IT security apprentice for Virgin Media O2 and a carer. She supports her dad who has mobility issues, a heart condition and diabetes, and also helps her mum, who is a carer herself and lives with arthritis. Rumana, 35, from London, said: 'Co-ordinating medication, attending appointments and managing day-to-day care requires flexibility, often during working hours. 'However, my employer is incredibly supportive, and with the flexibility afforded, the impact on my work is limited. 'We need broader recognition that caring comes in many forms and can include supporting friends, neighbours and extended family. 'The level of understanding and support has made a real difference, not just to my professional growth, but to my overall wellbeing.' Nisha Marwaha, a director at Virgin Media O2, said: 'Carers already have a lot on their plates and we want our people to be able to support friends and family without worrying about taking time off work or not getting paid. 'This support is vital to creating an environment where everyone can be their best at work and help their loved ones when they need them.' Find out more at HOW TO BE A CARE CONFIDENT EMPLOYER Encourage employees to identify themselves as carers. Include questions about caring in staff surveys or enable self-declaration through a self-service HR system or online form. lAsk carers about their support needs, including what type of help they would like in the workplace. lUse a clear definition of caring and carers – and include this in workplace policies to encourage take-up of support. Introduce a carer policy in your company or organisation, outlining in one place all the support available. Educate managers so they are equipped to identify and support carers in their team. Include caring in manager training and create a line-manager toolkit with guidance on what to do if an employee has caring responsibilities. JOBSPOT PARCEL delivery firm Evri is hiring for 5,000 new courier roles. Find out more at PATERNITY LEAVE IS A DAD JOKE PATERNITY leave in the UK is the worst in Europe, according to campaign group The Dad Shift. New fathers are entitled to a fortnight off at £187.18 a week, though many firms pay more. 3 Mike Shepard, management director, of the Britain's most family-friendly firm Mars UK Credit: Supplied Mars UK was recently recognised as our most family-friendly firm, offering dads 26 weeks off at 90 per cent of normal pay. Ahead of Father's Day, Mars revenue management director Mike Shepard, dad to Sterling, four, and Conrad, seven months, shares his advice for firms to get it right. EVOLVE WITH THE PARENTING JOURNEY: From navigating school commitments to becoming a grandparent, the parenting journey spans decades, so flexibility isn't a one-time fix, it's a continuous dialogue. It's one thing having an enhanced parental leave policy, but leaders' active encouragement is key to removing any stigma. CHAMPION MEANINGFUL LEAVE: Business leaders can lead where policy lags by introducing enhanced time off and normalising fathers to take it. REDEFINE THE RETURN-TO-WORK EXPERIENCE: Coming back from parental leave isn't about 'slotting back in'. It's an emotional, mental and logistical adjustment. Start conversations early about flexibility, priorities and working style, leading with what will best suit a family's new reality. MAXIMISE PERFORMANCE AND WELLBEING: It's hard to support what you don't know, so encourage open dialogue. Vital to the success of my own team's productivity is them feeling safe voicing what works for them, whether it's flexible hours, hybrid working or changes in responsibility. USE PEER GROUPS TO DRIVE CHANGE: Internal parenting networks are powerful tools. Foster these groups to build a community and spark ideas that can drive meaningful change from within. LOVE ISLE IS A TITLE MYSTERY LOVE ISLAND, hosted by Maya Jama, is back on our screens and it is not just the hot bods grabbing our attention – but also their day jobs, and what they mean. Online searches for 'marketing engineer', 'payroll specialist' and 'energy broker' jumped more than 5,000 per cent last week, according to data from jobs forum RateMyApprenticeship. 3 The careers of Love Island contestants are leading to new job searches Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Co-founder Oliver Sidwell says: 'Seeing someone on screen talk about a job you've never heard of sparks curiosity, and that's what we're seeing now. 'Roles like marketing engineer or energy broker are not on the radar for most school leavers, but should be. "These are well-paid, in-demand jobs and don't always require a university route.' JOBSPOT ASDA has more than 400 jobs available nationwide, including for section leaders, cleaners, pharmacy staff and customer delivery drivers. Search at IT'S BEST TO ASK … AND FAST JOB applicants should try to ask questions early in an interview to steer it in a direction that plays to their strengths. That is the advice from Dr George Sik, of psychometric testing firm Eras, as the number of job vacancies in the UK plunged to its lowest level in four years with just 781,000 up for grabs. As competition for positions intensifies, Dr Sik suggests good questions to put to your potential employer, which include, 'What are the most important goals for this role in the next six to 12 months?', 'What challenges or changes is the team currently navigating?' and, 'What makes someone exceptional in this role, as opposed to just good?' He adds: 'These questions show initiative and let you reframe the interview.' But leave it too long into the chat, and Dr Sik warns: 'By that point, it's too late to influence the direction of the conversation.' Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
How employers can help support Britain's ‘invisible army' of three million carers
EACH week, around three million people clock off from their jobs and start a second, unpaid, role as a carer. This unsung and often invisible army of helpers keeps the nation functioning, providing vital support to elderly or disabled family members and friends. 3 Estimates vary but between seven to nine per cent of the workforce also have caring responsibilities, with charity Employers For Carers saying that 59 per cent of these are women. Not-for-profit organisation Carers UK estimates that two-thirds of us will become a carer at some point in our lives, with up to 600 people a day quitting work to do this. However, juggling such responsibilities with work is a huge challenge. Studies show that 44 per cent of carers in employment have developed mental or physical health conditions, while a quarter have reduced their working hours in order to cope. It is Carers Week, with employers being urged to identify carers within their workforce and put support in place to retain them. Helen Walker, chief executive of Carers UK, said: 'It takes two years on average for someone to identify themselves as a carer. 'As a result, they often don't come forward for support in the workplace and can miss out on vital help. "This is why we encourage employers to raise awareness among managers and staff.' This year's Carers Week theme is Caring About Equality, highlighting that those looking after family members or friends face a greater risk of poverty, social isolation and poor mental and physical health. Helen added: 'One of the main drivers of poverty is the difficulty of combining paid work with unpaid care. 'We are urging more employers to go further in adopting more carer-friendly measures in the workplace and make a difference for those able to juggle work and care.' One of the main ways employers can support staff is with flexible working. Research from insurance agency the Phoenix Group found that two in five working carers would not have a job without flexible working. Alongside this, an increasing number of firms are offering paid carer's leave. While the Carer's Leave Act 2023 gives employees the right to five days of unpaid leave, Virgin Media O2 offers five paid days while the TSB gives 70 hours each year. Rumana Akthair is an IT security apprentice for Virgin Media O2 and a carer. She supports her dad who has mobility issues, a heart condition and diabetes, and also helps her mum, who is a carer herself and lives with arthritis. Rumana, 35, from London, said: 'Co-ordinating medication, attending appointments and managing day-to-day care requires flexibility, often during working hours. 'However, my employer is incredibly supportive, and with the flexibility afforded, the impact on my work is limited. 'We need broader recognition that caring comes in many forms and can include supporting friends, neighbours and extended family. 'The level of understanding and support has made a real difference, not just to my professional growth, but to my overall wellbeing.' Nisha Marwaha, a director at Virgin Media O2, said: 'Carers already have a lot on their plates and we want our people to be able to support friends and family without worrying about taking time off work or not getting paid. 'This support is vital to creating an environment where everyone can be their best at work and help their loved ones when they need them.' Find out more at HOW TO BE A CARE CONFIDENT EMPLOYER Encourage employees to identify themselves as carers. Include questions about caring in staff surveys or enable self-declaration through a self-service HR system or online form. lAsk carers about their support needs, including what type of help they would like in the workplace. lUse a clear definition of caring and carers – and include this in workplace policies to encourage take-up of support. Introduce a carer policy in your company or organisation, outlining in one place all the support available. Educate managers so they are equipped to identify and support carers in their team. Include caring in manager training and create a line-manager toolkit with guidance on what to do if an employee has caring responsibilities. PATERNITY LEAVE IS A DAD JOKE PATERNITY leave in the UK is the worst in Europe, according to campaign group The Dad Shift. New fathers are entitled to a fortnight off at £187.18 a week, though many firms pay more. 3 Mars UK was recently recognised as our most family-friendly firm, offering dads 26 weeks off at 90 per cent of normal pay. Ahead of Father's Day, Mars revenue management director Mike Shepard, dad to Sterling, four, and Conrad, seven months, shares his advice for firms to get it right. EVOLVE WITH THE PARENTING JOURNEY: From navigating school commitments to becoming a grandparent, the parenting journey spans decades, so flexibility isn't a one-time fix, it's a continuous dialogue. It's one thing having an enhanced parental leave policy, but leaders' active encouragement is key to removing any stigma. CHAMPION MEANINGFUL LEAVE: Business leaders can lead where policy lags by introducing enhanced time off and normalising fathers to take it. REDEFINE THE RETURN-TO-WORK EXPERIENCE: Coming back from parental leave isn't about 'slotting back in'. It's an emotional, mental and logistical adjustment. Start conversations early about flexibility, priorities and working style, leading with what will best suit a family's new reality. MAXIMISE PERFORMANCE AND WELLBEING: It's hard to support what you don't know, so encourage open dialogue. Vital to the success of my own team's productivity is them feeling safe voicing what works for them, whether it's flexible hours, hybrid working or changes in responsibility. USE PEER GROUPS TO DRIVE CHANGE: Internal parenting networks are powerful tools. Foster these groups to build a community and spark ideas that can drive meaningful change from within. LOVE ISLE IS A TITLE MYSTERY LOVE ISLAND, hosted by Maya Jama, is back on our screens and it is not just the hot bods grabbing our attention – but also their day jobs, and what they mean. Online searches for 'marketing engineer', 'payroll specialist' and 'energy broker' jumped more than 5,000 per cent last week, according to data from jobs forum RateMyApprenticeship. 3 Co-founder Oliver Sidwell says: 'Seeing someone on screen talk about a job you've never heard of sparks curiosity, and that's what we're seeing now. 'Roles like marketing engineer or energy broker are not on the radar for most school leavers, but should be. "These are well-paid, in-demand jobs and don't always require a university route.' IT'S BEST TO ASK … AND FAST JOB applicants should try to ask questions early in an interview to steer it in a direction that plays to their strengths. That is the advice from Dr George Sik, of psychometric testing firm Eras, as the number of job vacancies in the UK plunged to its lowest level in four years with just 781,000 up for grabs. As competition for positions intensifies, Dr Sik suggests good questions to put to your potential employer, which include, 'What are the most important goals for this role in the next six to 12 months?', 'What challenges or changes is the team currently navigating?' and, 'What makes someone exceptional in this role, as opposed to just good?' He adds: 'These questions show initiative and let you reframe the interview.' But leave it too long into the chat, and Dr Sik warns: 'By that point, it's too late to influence the direction of the conversation.'
Wales Online
15-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
DWP PIP claimants could lose a second benefit in payment cuts
DWP PIP claimants could lose a second benefit in payment cuts The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is set to overhaul the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) benefit, which could see thousands of carers losing their entitlement to another payment To be eligible for Carer's Allowance, carers must meet various criteria (Image: Mark Lewis ) People across the UK could be hit even further by the proposed changes to Personal Independence Payments (PIP). Although there are no direct alterations to the Carer's Allowance, Carers UK has issued a warning that thousands could lose this benefit due to the changes scheduled for November 2026. To be eligible for Carer's Allowance, carers must meet various criteria, such as the type of care provided and earning less than £196 per week elsewhere. However, the person they are caring for must also be claiming at least one of the qualifying benefits. Therefore, if the individual being cared for only claims PIP from the DWP and doesn't meet the new criteria next year, they may lose their disability benefit, consequently making their carer ineligible for Carer's Allowance. Carers UK estimates that around 150,000 carers could lose their Carer's Allowance by 2029/2030 due to the changes to PIP. Qualifying benefits include: PIP Disability Living Allowance Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance Attendance Allowance Pension Age Disability Payment Child Disability Payment Carer's Allowance is the main benefit for unpaid carers, providing a weekly payment of £83.80. This is among the lowest benefit of its kind according to the charity. To qualify for the allowance, you must devote a minimum of 35 hours per week to caring for a disabled, ill, or elderly individual. Article continues below This can involve tasks such as cooking, washing, escorting the person to medical appointments, and managing household bills, reports the Mirror. Eligible carers are now restricted from earning more than £196 from other sources, marking an increase of £45 from the previous cap of £151. Carers UK has highlighted the reality that many carers have neither the time nor energy to secure a significant income beyond their care duties. The charity's findings reveal that 42% of individuals receiving Carer's Allowance are facing financial difficulties, while over 1.2 million carers in the nation are grappling with poverty. Helen Walker, Carers UK's Chief Executive, expressed: "Unfortunately, we are looking at a game of two halves. "Last year in the 2024 Autumn Budget we welcomed news that the limit on Carer's Allowance would rise, which is a much-needed step forward, helping carers in employment on a low income to increase their earning potential. "But these changes now take place against the concerning backdrop of new welfare reforms announced in the 2025 Spring Statement." Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here . Article continues below
Daily Mirror
14-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
150,000 people could lose benefit in DWP overhaul - and it's not PIP
The planned changes are due to take effect in November next year Carers may feel the pinch from the planned changes to Personal Independence Payments (PIP) set for November 2026. Despite no alterations being made to the Carer's Allowance directly, Carers UK has warned that thousands could lose this benefit. To qualify for Carer's Allowance, the carer must meet various criteria, such as the type of care provided and earning less than £196 per week elsewhere. However, the person they are caring for must also be claiming at least one of the qualifying benefits, which include the likes of: PIP Disability Living Allowance Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance Attendance Allowance Pension Age Disability Payment Child Disability Payment Therefore, if the individual being cared for only claims PIP from the DWP and doesn't meet the new criteria next year, they may lose their disability benefit, consequently making their carer ineligible for Carer's Allowance. Carers UK estimates that around 150,000 carers could lose their Carer's Allowance by 2029/2030 due to the changes to PIP. Carer's Allowance is the primary benefit for unpaid carers, providing a weekly payment of £83.80. Which is among the lowest benefit of its kind according to the charity. To qualify for the allowance, you must devote a minimum of 35 hours per week to caring for a disabled, ill, or elderly individual. This can involve tasks such as cooking, washing, escorting the person to medical appointments, and managing household bills. Eligible carers are also restricted from earning more than £196 from other sources, which is an increase of £45 from the previous threshold of £151. However, Carers UK pointed out that many carers lack the time or energy to earn a substantial income outside of their caring responsibilities. According to the charity's research, 42% of carers who receive Carer's Allowance struggle financially, while 1.2 million carers in the UK live in poverty. Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, stated: "Unfortunately, we are looking at a game of two halves. "Last year in the 2024 Autumn Budget we welcomed news that the limit on Carer's Allowance would rise, which is a much-needed step forward, helping carers in employment on a low income to increase their earning potential. But these changes now take place against the concerning backdrop of new welfare reforms announced in the 2025 Spring Statement."
Daily Mirror
02-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
DWP Pension Credit alert as thousands of people in one group 'missing out'
A confusing benefits system is denying critical financial aid to tens of thousands of older carers, campaigners have warned. Age UK's new figures suggest that as many as 65,000 low-income carers of state pension age are missing out on Pension Credit, a benefit worth thousands of pounds that also provides access to other essential support like the Winter Fuel Payment. Many are oblivious to their entitlement to this top-up benefit, known as the Carer Addition, which can be worth up to £2,412.80 annually. Campaigners are blaming needlessly complex application process, which require pensioners to apply for Carer's Allowance - even if they won't receive it - just to qualify for the Carer Addition within Pension Credit, a benefit overseen by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Age UK said: "There are 1.3 million unpaid carers aged 65 and over in the UK and a significant proportion are struggling to make ends meet." A survey by Carers UK, supported by the abrdn Financial Fairness Trust, found that three quarters (75%) of older carers didn't realise that applying for Carer's Allowance could increase their chances of receiving Pension Credit-even if they weren't eligible for a payment. Vivienne Jackson, Programme Manager at abrdn Financial Fairness Trust, said: "It's not right that older carers, often run off of their feet at a time of life when they should have some space to put them up, have a bewildering maze to navigate. "The system of benefits eligibility for older carers is more arcane than a cryptic crossword." Helen Walker, chief executive of Carers UK, said: "Older carers are already having to provide significant amounts of care, are often in poor health themselves and are frequently exhausted from the amount of administration they have to deal with." She noted that dealing with a highly complicated system adds unnecessary strain, saying: "Having such a complex, frustrating and baffling system is incredibly counter-productive and those on the lowest incomes can least afford to miss out." As the Express reports, Walker noted: "With rising costs, we should be doing everything we can to ensure that unpaid carers receive the right entitlements and benefits. Following the tightening of Winter Fuel Payments criteria for those who are in receipt of Pension Credit and other key benefits, a simple claims process becomes even more important. "The Government needs to take this step before next winter so that as many carers as possible on low incomes get vital support. We also need further measures to ensure that older unpaid carers are not only pulled out of poverty, but better valued and supported." Echoing these concerns, Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said: "The extra money an unpaid older carer typically receives from successfully claiming Pension Credit makes a big difference to their finances and quality of life, so it is heartbreaking that so many are missing out because they are unaware of their potential entitlement. "In the shorter term the Government should work with other organisations, including Carers UK and Age UK, to increase public awareness of Pension Credit and support older people to claim it. Longer term the system should move towards proactively identifying the older people most likely to be eligible, without they themselves needing to submit a claim." According to the Carers UK survey, nearly half (48%) of older carers said they feel anxious or stressed when thinking about their finances. A total of 40% want clearer information on eligibility. Currently, if an unpaid carer's State Pension is more than Carer's Allowance, they receive no allowance payment. Yet they must still apply to prove an "underlying entitlement" to bolster their Pension Credit. Carers UK is urging the DWP to simplify the Pension Credit application process for carers, hike the Carer Addition up by £36.60 weekly – a move that could drag 20,000 elderly carers out of severe poverty – and create a specific payment in recognition of the older carers' efforts. With winter a few months away and pressure mounting, campaigners are calling for swift reforms to help vulnerable older carers.
