England’s social care system is at ‘breaking point’, government warned
The number of unpaid carers increasing by 70 per cent over the past two decades, a report revealed
Alan Jones
Friday 19 September 2025 00:01 BST
Video Player Placeholder
Close
Failure to fix social care system is ‘stain on our nation’ says former government commissioner
Get our free Health Check email
Email*
SIGN UP
England’s social care system is at “breaking point”, with the number of unpaid carers increasing by 70 per cent over the past two decades, according to a report.
Research for the Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR) found rising demand, shrinking supply, and a growing reliance on unpaid carers.
Analysis for the report, conducted by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF), revealed the number of people providing 35 hours or more a week of care increased from 1.1 million in 2003/04 to 1.9 million in 2023/24.
New requests for support increased from 1.8 million in 2015/16 to 2.1 million in 2023/24, mainly from working age adults increasingly needing care, said the report.
There has been a 15 per cent rise in people requesting some form of adult social care which has only been met with a 2.5 per cent increase in those receiving it, according to the research.
RECOMMENDED
Man dies after falling from hot air balloon in tragic incident
Heiress who died after ‘insect bite’ sent distressing messages in hospital to friends
Plus Size Contrast Color Patchwork Pockets Jumpsuit And Robe Set, Fall Clothes
SHEIN
|
Sponsored
Cancer Warning for Women Who Used Baby Powder
Talc Claim
|
Sponsored
Powered by Taboola
The report says unpaid care – whether by parents, spouses or adult children, and most frequently women – is relied on too heavily to fill in the gaps of the “inadequate and expensive” adult social care system.
Promoted stories
What makes a heat pump better than a boiler?
OVO
by TaboolaSponsored Links
Abby Jitendra, author of the IPPR discussion paper and principal policy adviser at JRF, said: “Millions of us are carers or need care, and this number will surge in the future, but families are being left to navigate a neglected system – paying sky-high costs, sacrificing work to care, and too often going without the support they need.
“We need to build a care system that works like a public service: universal, affordable, reliable and fair. That means bold reform now – not another decade of drift.”
Unpaid care is relied on too heavily to fill in the gaps of the ‘inadequate and expensive’ adult social care system, the report says
Unpaid care is relied on too heavily to fill in the gaps of the ‘inadequate and expensive’ adult social care system, the report says (Alamy/PA)
The report added that the government’s commitment to set up a National Care Service must tackle the challenges of an ageing and changing population, a retention crisis in the care workforce, and the key issue of funding.
Emily Holzhausen, director of policy and public affairs at Carers UK, said: “Worryingly, we are seeing a growing number of people providing substantial care for disabled and older relatives from other datasets as well. In England and Wales.
“Census 2021 data shows a rise in the number of people providing 20-49 hours of care to 260,000 people (1.9 per cent in 2021 compared with 1.5 per cent in 2011), a slight rise in the proportion of people providing 50 or more hours to 152,000 people (2.8 per cent in 2021 compared with 2.7 per cent in 2011), and a deepening of the amount of care provided over time.
“This is significant because of the devastating impact that substantial unpaid care of over 20 hours per week can have on carers’ health, wellbeing and ability to juggle work and care. A growing number of carers are struggling with their own health due to the enormous pressures they are under.”
Karen Fuller, director of adult social care at Oxfordshire County Council said: “In Oxfordshire we have a vibrant care market. The amount of domiciliary care commissioned weekly for older people has increased by 14.9 per cent year-on-year from 2023 to 2025.
“Nevertheless, we recognise that unpaid carers of all ages are essential to our communities and to the social care system. Our vision is that they are valued and supported to live their lives to the fullest.
“We are identifying and supporting carers to improve their health and wellbeing. This includes opportunities for respite, safeguarding carers at risk – particularly during times of change, enabling carers to pursue education and employment, and to enjoy a fulfilling life beyond their caring role.
RECOMMENDED
EasyJet tragedy as passenger dies on Lanzarote flight
The haunting messages sent by heiress found dead from ‘insect bite’ in London flat
DATING: Meet 50+ women online
Instantalks
|
Sponsored
Nutritionist Reveals the Best Collagen for 2025
Women's Nutrition Review
|
Sponsored
Powered by Taboola
“We are also ensuring that carers’ voices shape the services and support they receive.
“We are working together across health, social care, education and the voluntary sector to ensure carers are identified early, supported holistically, and never left to shoulder the burden alone.”
More aboutJoseph Rowntree FoundationCarers
Promoted stories
How To Invest In Whisky. Own A Barrel Of Whisky Starting From £...
Download Our Free Guide To Supercharge Your Investment Strategy.
Whisky Partners|Sponsored
Start your routine on a positive oat just Belvita!
Belvita|Sponsored
Is Toniebox 2 Worth The Hype?
Trueself|Sponsored
Boots is giving free 75-minute hearing checks in Stamford.
They're hearing aids, but not as you know them: the latest devices are waterproof, can connect to your phone and stream music, and some even sit invisibly inside your ear. Book a free hearing test to find your perfect hearing aid
Boots Hearingcare|Sponsored
Mosques around UK tighten security as anti-migrant protests continue
Islamic centres, including the mosque nearest to the Epping hotel at the centre of anti-immigration protests, speak of fears for their congregations
Hyphen.|Sponsored
Support Your Immune System, Gut Health, Energy, and More.
AG1|Sponsored
Brits eligible for window funding if they live in these postcodes
All homeowners eligible, no benefits needed to claim
Eco Green Tips|Sponsored
Farewell Sale – Closing My Handbag Workshop
Final clearance – up to 80% off
Handcrafted Bags|Sponsored
news
British man dies after tragic incident at holiday beauty spot
news
Home Alone icon delivers heartbreaking health update
science
Man with Covid for over two years became virus incubator, scientists find
Inside the Sussex spiral as Harry is left heartbroken and alone
As Harry swapped royalty for celebrity, a ‘life of service’ is proving to be harder for him outside protective palace walls
Promoted by Independent Premium|Sponsored
Pensioners born before 1965 are now eligible for new hearing aids (Read More)
Hidden Hearing UK|Sponsored
Senior Singles: Dating Starts Here
Share your feelings and emotions with someone.
Dating4lover|Sponsored
news
Teen girl's body found in impounded car registered to the singer d4vd
Explore with Flexible Escapes at Minor Hotels
Chase unforgettable moments across Asia, with the freedom to change your plans as freely as you need. Minor DISCOVERY members save up to 10% more.
Minor Hotels|Sponsored
home news
Trump ate ‘whatever they served us’ and saw more paintings ‘than any human being’
Get in touch
Contact us
Our Products
Subscribe
Register
Newsletters
Donate
Today’s Edition
Install our app
Archive
Other publications
International editions
Independent en Español
Independent Arabia
Independent Turkish
Independent Persian
Independent Urdu
The Standard
Extras
Puzzles
All topics
Betting offers
Latest deals
Competitions and offers
Independent Advertising
Independent Ignite
Syndication
Working at The Independent
Legal
Code of conduct and complaints
Contributors
Cookie policy
Donations Terms & Conditions
Privacy policy
Privacy settings
User policies
Modern Slavery Statement
England’s social care system is at ‘breaking point’, government warned
The number of unpaid carers increasing by 70 per cent over the past two decades, a report revealed
Alan JonesFriday 19 September 2025 00:01 BST
Close
Failure to fix social care system is ‘stain on our nation’ says former government commissioner
Get our free Health Check email
Email*
SIGN UP
England’s social care system is at “breaking point”, with the number of unpaid carers increasing by 70 per cent over the past two decades, according to a report.
Research for the Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR) found rising demand, shrinking supply, and a growing reliance on unpaid carers.
Analysis for the report, conducted by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF), revealed the number of people providing 35 hours or more a week of care increased from 1.1 million in 2003/04 to 1.9 million in 2023/24.
New requests for support increased from 1.8 million in 2015/16 to 2.1 million in 2023/24, mainly from working age adults increasingly needing care, said the report.
There has been a 15 per cent rise in people requesting some form of adult social care which has only been met with a 2.5 per cent increase in those receiving it, according to the research.
RECOMMENDED
Man dies after falling from hot air balloon in tragic incident
Heiress who died after ‘insect bite’ sent distressing messages in hospital to friends
Plus Size Contrast Color Patchwork Pockets Jumpsuit And Robe Set, Fall ClothesSHEIN|Sponsored
Cancer Warning for Women Who Used Baby PowderTalc Claim|Sponsored
Powered by Taboola
The report says unpaid care – whether by parents, spouses or adult children, and most frequently women – is relied on too heavily to fill in the gaps of the “inadequate and expensive” adult social care system.
Promoted stories
What makes a heat pump better than a boiler?OVO
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Abby Jitendra, author of the IPPR discussion paper and principal policy adviser at JRF, said: “Millions of us are carers or need care, and this number will surge in the future, but families are being left to navigate a neglected system – paying sky-high costs, sacrificing work to care, and too often going without the support they need.
“We need to build a care system that works like a public service: universal, affordable, reliable and fair. That means bold reform now – not another decade of drift.”
Unpaid care is relied on too heavily to fill in the gaps of the ‘inadequate and expensive’ adult social care system, the report says (Alamy/PA)
The report added that the government’s commitment to set up a National Care Service must tackle the challenges of an ageing and changing population, a retention crisis in the care workforce, and the key issue of funding.
Emily Holzhausen, director of policy and public affairs at Carers UK, said: “Worryingly, we are seeing a growing number of people providing substantial care for disabled and older relatives from other datasets as well. In England and Wales.
“Census 2021 data shows a rise in the number of people providing 20-49 hours of care to 260,000 people (1.9 per cent in 2021 compared with 1.5 per cent in 2011), a slight rise in the proportion of people providing 50 or more hours to 152,000 people (2.8 per cent in 2021 compared with 2.7 per cent in 2011), and a deepening of the amount of care provided over time.
“This is significant because of the devastating impact that substantial unpaid care of over 20 hours per week can have on carers’ health, wellbeing and ability to juggle work and care. A growing number of carers are struggling with their own health due to the enormous pressures they are under.”
Karen Fuller, director of adult social care at Oxfordshire County Council said: “In Oxfordshire we have a vibrant care market. The amount of domiciliary care commissioned weekly for older people has increased by 14.9 per cent year-on-year from 2023 to 2025.
“Nevertheless, we recognise that unpaid carers of all ages are essential to our communities and to the social care system. Our vision is that they are valued and supported to live their lives to the fullest.
“We are identifying and supporting carers to improve their health and wellbeing. This includes opportunities for respite, safeguarding carers at risk – particularly during times of change, enabling carers to pursue education and employment, and to enjoy a fulfilling life beyond their caring role.
RECOMMENDED
EasyJet tragedy as passenger dies on Lanzarote flight
The haunting messages sent by heiress found dead from ‘insect bite’ in London flat
DATING: Meet 50+ women onlineInstantalks|Sponsored
Nutritionist Reveals the Best Collagen for 2025Women's Nutrition Review|Sponsored
Powered by Taboola
“We are also ensuring that carers’ voices shape the services and support they receive.
“We are working together across health, social care, education and the voluntary sector to ensure carers are identified early, supported holistically, and never left to shoulder the burden alone.”
More about
Joseph Rowntree FoundationCarers
Promoted stories
How To Invest In Whisky. Own A Barrel Of Whisky Starting From £...Download Our Free Guide To Supercharge Your Investment Strategy.Whisky Partners|Sponsored
Start your routine on a positive oat just Belvita!Belvita|Sponsored
Is Toniebox 2 Worth The Hype?Trueself|Sponsored
Boots is giving free 75-minute hearing checks in Stamford.They're hearing aids, but not as you know them: the latest devices are waterproof, can connect to your phone and stream music, and some even sit invisibly inside your ear. Book a free hearing test to find your perfect hearing aidBoots Hearingcare|Sponsored
Mosques around UK tighten security as anti-migrant protests continueIslamic centres, including the mosque nearest to the Epping hotel at the centre of anti-immigration protests, speak of fears for their congregationsHyphen.|Sponsored
Support Your Immune System, Gut Health, Energy, and More.AG1|Sponsored
Brits eligible for window funding if they live in these postcodesAll homeowners eligible, no benefits needed to claimEco Green Tips|Sponsored
Farewell Sale – Closing My Handbag WorkshopFinal clearance – up to 80% offHandcrafted Bags|Sponsored
newsBritish man dies after tragic incident at holiday beauty spot
newsHome Alone icon delivers heartbreaking health update
scienceMan with Covid for over two years became virus incubator, scientists find
Inside the Sussex spiral as Harry is left heartbroken and aloneAs Harry swapped royalty for celebrity, a ‘life of service’ is proving to be harder for him outside protective palace wallsPromoted by Independent Premium|Sponsored
Pensioners born before 1965 are now eligible for new hearing aids (Read More)Hidden Hearing UK|Sponsored
Senior Singles: Dating Starts HereShare your feelings and emotions with someone.Dating4lover|Sponsored
newsTeen girl's body found in impounded car registered to the singer d4vd
Explore with Flexible Escapes at Minor HotelsChase unforgettable moments across Asia, with the freedom to change your plans as freely as you need. Minor DISCOVERY members save up to 10% more.Minor Hotels|Sponsored
home newsTrump ate ‘whatever they served us’ and saw more paintings ‘than any human being’
Get in touchContact us
Our ProductsSubscribe
Register
Newsletters
Donate
Today’s Edition
Install our app
Archive
Other publicationsInternational editions
Independent en Español
Independent Arabia
Independent Turkish
Independent Persian
Independent Urdu
The Standard
ExtrasPuzzles
All topics
Betting offers
Latest deals
Competitions and offers
Independent Advertising
Independent Ignite
Syndication
Working at The Independent
LegalCode of conduct and complaints
Contributors
Cookie policy
Donations Terms & Conditions
Privacy policy
Privacy settings
User policies
Modern Slavery Statement