The United Kingdom’s health is changing. We are living longer and more of us will need care in the future. This will lead to an increase in the need for paid care services but will also require an increase in informal care because not all people who need care receive paid care, and some of those who do receive both formal and informal care. Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) analysis found that over the period 2016–2022, over half of people aged 65 and over who were being cared for only accessed informal care, around a quarter accessed both formal and informal care and just under a fifth only accessed formal care.

Informal care is an inevitable part of how care needs are and will be met. Some of this is due to unmet need for paid care services or high costs but much is due to people choosing to care. JRF research found that, for people providing the majority of care for someone, 46% of unpaid carers and 40% of parents say their main reason is that they want to. There are genuine benefits for cared-for people of drawing on informal care as some needs fall outside the routine of formal care services while carers can also help people access the right paid care services...