To mark Carers Rights Day 2020, today Carers UK have released new research which estimates that the care provided to date during the COVID-19 pandemic by unpaid carers is a staggering £135 billion; meaning each day during the pandemic, unpaid carers are saving the UK state £530 million in the care they provide. You can read the report in full here.

Previous research we have undertaken in recent months found that the majority (81%) of carers have been taking on more care since the start of the pandemic, and nearly two thirds (63%) are worried about how they will continue to manage over winter.

As a result, we are calling on the government to provide additional support for carers, to acknowledge the enormous contribution made by carers during this pandemic, and give back to carers by prioritising their health, wellbeing and resilience this winter.