Paying the Price

A carer provides support to an elderly, ill or disabled person (often a relative) who cannot manage alone without assistance. The unpaid work of such carers saves the taxpayer an estimated 34 billion pounds annually in health and social services. Yet many carers are living in poverty, excluded from social activities and paid employment, often feeling isolated and unrecognised in their role. This book draws on new research to examine the impact of caring for different types of carer, including *Young carers *Parent carers *Working age carers *Carers over pension age. Case studies are used to illustrate the problems faced by different groups. While there have been a number of positive Government initiatives, the depth and extent of poverty and social exclusion among carers means that more is needed to ensure that those who provide care to others continue to do so. The book analyses the tax credits and benefits available to different types of carer and recommends urgently-needed improvements to these as well as to the services and support that carers receive.