Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what proportion of unpaid carers (a) are given practical support and (b) are signposted to information and advice following a Carer’s Assessment.

Local authorities (LAs) have duties to support people caring for their family and friends. Under the Care Act 2014, they are required to undertake Carer’s Assessments to support people caring for their family and friends who appear to have a need for support and to meet their eligible needs on request from them.

In 2023/24, 360,815 carers were either supported or assessed by LAs in England. Of these, 107,935, or 30%, were provided with direct support, either via a direct payment, a managed personal budget or LA commissioned support; 199,750, or 55%, were provided with direct support in the form of information, advice, and other universal services or signposting; and 53,125, or 15%, were not provided with direct support following an assessment.

Lord Darzi’s independent review of the National Health Service is clear that a fresh approach to supporting and involving unpaid carers is required to improve outcomes for carers, people needing care and the NHS.

The Government recognises the challenges facing the adult social care system. That is why the Government is launching an independent commission into adult social care as part of our critical first steps towards delivering a National Care Service.

The Commission will start a national conversation about what working age adults, older people, and their families expect from adult social care, including exploring the needs of unpaid carers who provide vital care and support.

We will carefully consider these findings as part of our 10-year plan for reforming and modernising the NHS and as we develop plans to reform adult social care, including through the National Care Service.