Millions of unpaid carers across England are set to receive earlier support under a new government action plan aimed at improving access to benefits, healthcare services and workplace rights. The cross-government strategy is designed to help carers be identified sooner, reducing the risk of them missing out on financial assistance and other support while caring for family members, friends or neighbours.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Department of Health and Social Care have unveiled a new action plan focused on improving support for unpaid carers.
According to the government, around one in 10 people in England provides unpaid care, often balancing caring responsibilities alongside employment, education and family commitments.
The strategy is built around three main priorities:
- Recognising unpaid carers earlier.
- Referring carers to available support.
- Helping carers achieve their potential in education and employment.
NHS
One of the key changes will allow unpaid carers to register their caring role through the NHS App.
This aims to help healthcare professionals identify carers more quickly, involve them in decisions about the people they care for and improve communication across NHS services.
The government also plans to introduce a new single patient record that will reduce the need for carers to repeatedly provide the same information to different healthcare and social care teams.
The new system is also expected to make it easier to manage appointments and prescriptions.
Support
A new GOV.UK information hub will launch later this summer, bringing together guidance on benefits, employment rights, health services and social care in one place.
The government will also publish a carers’ charter outlining the rights and entitlements available to unpaid carers.
These measures are intended to make information easier to find and simplify access to available support.
Work
Employers with more than 250 employees will be expected to strengthen support for unpaid carers from spring 2027.
The proposals are intended to help more people remain in work while managing caring responsibilities.
In addition, the Department for Business and Trade is consulting on plans to introduce:
| Proposal | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Paid carer’s leave | Support employees with caring responsibilities |
| Right to return to work | Help people resume employment after intensive caring periods |
The consultation is ongoing and no final decisions have yet been announced.
Education
The action plan also includes measures aimed at supporting young carers.
Schools will be encouraged to identify young carers earlier and monitor attendance more closely to help reduce the impact that caring responsibilities can have on education.
The government says earlier intervention could help prevent young carers from falling behind at school.
Benefits
The government highlighted recent financial support already available for unpaid carers.
| Benefit | Current Support |
|---|---|
| Carer’s Allowance | Earnings limit increased by more than £2,750 over the past two years |
| Universal Credit | Around 1.1 million carers receive the carer element |
| Pension Credit | Eligible carers may receive the carer addition |
According to the government, the increase in the Carer’s Allowance earnings limit is the largest since the 1970s.
Reactions
The action plan has been welcomed by several organisations representing unpaid carers.
Carers Trust said the strategy has the right objectives by improving recognition and access to support but stressed that meaningful progress will depend on long-term investment.
Carers UK said the plan acknowledges the challenges unpaid carers often face, including fragmented services and limited recognition despite their important contribution.
Age UK also welcomed proposals that would ensure unpaid carers are more closely involved when patients are discharged from hospital.
Outlook
The government’s action plan contains 42 measures covering health, education, employment, social care and the benefits system.
The announcement comes while Baroness Casey’s independent commission on adult social care continues its review of England’s care system, including the role of unpaid carers. Initial recommendations from the commission are expected later this year.
As the new measures are introduced, further details, consultation outcomes and implementation dates are expected to be announced over the coming months.
FAQs
Who will benefit from the new carers’ plan?
Millions of unpaid carers across England.
What will change in the NHS App?
Carers will be able to register their caring role.
When will the GOV.UK carers hub launch?
The government says it will launch this summer.
When could employer changes begin?
Support measures are expected from spring 2027.
