Government publishes new Unpaid Carers Action Plan
The government has published a new Unpaid Carers Action Plan: Recognise, Refer, Reach, setting out how it plans to improve support for the UK’s estimated 5.7 million unpaid carers over the coming years. The plan is built around three themes:
- Recognise – helping carers (and the systems around them) identify caring roles earlier, especially for young carers who are often the least likely to be recognised.
- Refer – making sure carers know what support and benefits they’re entitled to, and are properly involved in decisions about the person they care for.
- Reach – helping carers stay in education, work, and enjoy a fulfilling life, without caring holding back their own future.
What this could mean for carers
A few of the changes most likely to affect carers directly:
- Carer’s Allowance earnings limit has already risen to £204 a week (from £151), meaning more carers can work part-time without losing their allowance. The government is also looking at replacing the current “cliff-edge” rule — where earning just £1 over the limit loses you the whole allowance — with a fairer taper system.
- NHS App ‘MyCarer’ feature — a new section is being introduced so carers can indicate they look after someone and manage things like appointments and prescriptions on that person’s behalf.
- Carer Passports — the national Carer Passport website is being refreshed to make it easier for workplaces, schools and health settings to recognise and support carers who identify themselves.
- Young carers — schools will continue to publish data on how young carers are identified and supported, and new information-sharing rules aim to catch young carers who are currently “hidden.”
- Employment rights review — a public consultation is underway (closing 1 September 2026) on stronger workplace rights for carers, including the possibility of paid carer’s leave.
- Carer’s Allowance modernisation — DWP has launched a call for evidence (closing 18 August 2026) on how Carer’s Allowance could work better alongside Universal Credit and paid work.
Have your say
Two consultations are currently open and looking for input from carers:
- Employment rights for unpaid carers consultation – closes 1 September 2026
- Carer’s Allowance modernisation call for evidence – closes 18 August 2026
Read the full plan
This is a summary only. For the full detail, including all 42 government actions and timelines, read the official plan on GOV.UK:
Unpaid Carers Action Plan: Recognise, Refer, Reach
