Unpaid carers have saved the UK taxpayer £135bn during the coronavirus pandemic, according to research.

The saving equates to around £530m for each day of the crisis and is based on an online survey of 5,741 people by YouGov during October and November.

It has prompted charity Carers UK to call for more government help from those caring for others.

Helen Walker, chief executive of Carers UK, said: “With every day that this pandemic goes on, unpaid carers are being pushed to the limit providing ever more care for loved ones with fast-diminishing support.

“They say they feel completely overlooked, overwhelmed, and can’t go on like this.”

Carers UK says 6,000 people in the UK become carers each day, most providing care for older, disabled, and seriously ill relatives and friends.

For many, the life-changing situation is unexpected.

Previous research by Carers UK found that 81% of carers have been taking on more responsibilities since the beginning of the pandemic and 63% are worried about how they will continue to manage over winter.

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The charity said those caring for more than 50 hours per week should be able to get a funded break, as many are finding the pandemic especially difficult.

Because many support services, such as day centres, are closed or working with limited capacity, carers are not getting the respite they need.

There are fears this could lead to breakdowns as they become overworked.

Ms Walker said: “Without crucial breaks services up and running this winter, we will only see more unpaid carers break down and an increase in hospital admissions at a time when the health system is already under significant pressure.

“The government has to acknowledge the enormous contribution made by carers during this pandemic – the value of which is a staggering £530m every single day – and give back to carers by prioritising their health, wellbeing and resilience this winter.”

Carers UK is also calling on the government to increase the income of carers entitled to carer’s allowance, just £67.25 a week, by £20 a week, to match the increase made months ago to universal credit.

“This would help carers providing 35 hours or more of unpaid care each week manage both the higher costs of caring in the winter and the lack of services available to help them stay in work,” Ms Walker added.

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