More than a job: working carers: evidence from the 2001 census

In the future most people's lives will include at least one episode of unpaid caring. Find out the facts behind the people who balance their job with caring for a relative or friend.

• Already, 2.5 million people in England and Wales combine paid work with unpaid caring for a partner, relative or friend who is ill, frail or has a disability.

• 1.5 million carers work full-time, and of those, 140,000 care for 50+ hours per week.

• 90% of working carers are aged 30+ - in their prime employment years.

• Working carers pay a heavy penalty in terms of their own health. Those with heavy caring responsibilities are two to three times more likely than workers without caring responsibilities to be in poor health.

• Men and women who care for 20+ hours a week are much less likely to be in higher level jobs.