Carers UK has published a major new report, The 'tipping point': when unpaid carers can no longer combine caring with paid employment.

The report, supported by Standard Life, provides a rich picture of the intersecting pressures that can push carers out of the labour market and explores the practical support that can prevent carers from giving up work to care.

Drawing on responses from over 10,500 carers to the State of Caring 2025 survey, and in-depth interviews with carers, the research shows how people are being pushed to a breaking point where continuing to work is simply no longer possible. Concerningly, it finds that nearly half of working carers (47%) are considering reducing their hours or leaving work altogether.

Carers told the charity about the combined pressures forcing them out of employment including workplaces that aren’t flexible, the stress and exhaustion from trying to juggle care with work, and the lack of affordable, reliable social care.

Urgent action is needed across to stop carers’ finances, pensions, health and wellbeing being put at risk by being forced out of paid work. Preventing carers from reaching this tipping point requires coordinated action across Government, employers, and public services, including the NHS and social care. Carers UK is calling for:

• A strategic approach to supporting carers through a fully funded, cross-Government Carers Action Plan
• A statutory right to paid Carer’s Leave
• Strengthened employer support
• Investment in social care and NHS support.