Support for unpaid carers

The Library has published a collection of briefings on unpaid carers. These provide statistics on unpaid carers and cover topics including social care support, the health and wellbeing of carers, carers’ employment rights, and young carers in education. The Library also published a briefing on inequalities faced by unpaid carers ahead of a Westminster Hall debate in November 2025.

The briefing provides a brief overview of recent developments relating to unpaid carers, which are not covered by existing Library briefings. This includes:

• The government’s publication of an action plan for unpaid carers in July 2026
• Plans by the government to appoint a champion for unpaid carers.
• Recent developments concerning Carer’s Allowance, including publication of a call for evidence on reform of Carer’s Allowance in July 2026.
• Changes to carers’ employment rights through the Employment Rights Act 2025.

Recent development on adult social care reform are covered in the Library briefing: Adult social care reform in England, published in October 2026.