The number of families taking care of disabled and elderly relatives surged by millions following the COVID-19 pandemic, potentially masking the impact of lockdowns and vaccination policies on caregiving responsibilities. Decades of underfunding and lack of investment in residential and nursing care, combined with the post-pandemic staffing and a vaccine mandate have led to a chronic lack of capacity within the sector.
Around 9.1 million people provided care support to family and friends in 2019, but this figure grew by an estimated 4.5 million during COVID-19.
According to the charity Carers UK,  an estimated 13.6 million people could be propping up the health and social care system, saving the taxpayer over £162 billion a year, according to 2021 estimates. This is just short of the entire annual 2021 NHS budget of £164 billion….