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Britain has an “unsung army” of one million people in poorer working age households whose caring responsibilities are the equivalent of a full-time unpaid job, according to major new research from the Resolution Foundation. It discovered that nearly one in three working-age adults in lower-income families today has a disability, compared to fewer than one in five in better-off families. The think tank says this is placing an intolerable strain on families. 

One in eight people in lower-income families worked for at least five hours a week on unpaid caring responsibilities. This compares with only one in 13 people in better-off families. One million people in “homes of modest means” have care responsibilities of 35-plus hours a week – the equivalent of a full-time job. This makes it “extremely challenging” to secure paid work. Around one-in-three carers in poorer homes say they can’t work at all because of their duties.

Mike Brewer, deputy chief executive of the Foundation, said: “Britain is getting older and sicker, while a greater share of its population has a disability. While these trends affect the whole of society, they are starkest in the poorest half of working-age families across the country.”

He is concerned that while there is great discussion about the “effects of ageing and ill-health” the impact on demand for unpaid care is “largely absent from political debate”.

He said: “That’s despite Britain having an ‘unsung army’ of one million people who do at least 35 hours of unpaid care work every week – equivalent to a full-time job. It is time to provide better support for these carers and their families, just as we have done with working parents in recent decades.”

The Foundation is pushing for the “caring elements” of Universal Credit to be boosted by £15.60 to £217 a month to match the health element. It has calculated this would cost £200million a year.

It also wants statutory carers’ leave extended from one week to four.

Caroline Abrahams of Age UK is also concerned. She said it is a “profound injustice” that poorer people “have no choice but to provide their free labour” while the better off can “buy some services in”.

Ms Abrahams said: “The whole social care system relies on the goodwill and unpaid labour of millions of dedicated unpaid carers. It couldn’t possibly manage without them, yet little is done to support them.

“We neither recognise and compensate them properly, nor do we ensure the provision of enough effective formal care services so loved ones don’t feel the need to make big sacrifices to fill the care gap. This reality often forces people who need social care and those who love them into horrible trade offs between what is best to do for everyone, and what’s affordable.

Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Helen Whately said: “Millions of people, often in the poorest households, are holding families together, caring for loved ones while sacrificing their own opportunities. They deserve recognition, respect, and real support. Carers are often forced out of the labour market because it has become impossible to balance care and work.

“The Conservatives are clear that carers must be properly supported, with flexibility, practical help, and a welfare system that rewards work where possible. Backing carers to stay in employment if they can and want to, fixing the failures in social care that pile pressure onto families, and ensuring support is targeted and sustainable.

“Labour offer little more than higher welfare spending and more dependency. We need a serious plan that supports carers, strengthens families, and protects taxpayers.”

A Government spokesperson said: “We understand the huge difference carers make, as well as the struggles they may face. That’s why we’ve delivered the biggest ever cash increase in the earnings threshold for Carer’s Allowance, whilst unpaid carers can also receive support, including short breaks and respite services, through the Better Care Fund. Alongside this, we are reviewing the implementation of Carer’s Leave and considering the benefits of introducing paid Carer’s Leave.”