The Care Economy: Open Letter

Society’s Engine room is an investment not a cost

Dear Prime Minister,

Think about the size of the financial services sector. Now imagine if you could double its size. What would that look like? New jobs, higher wages, increased tax revenues and greater employment opportunities. Imagine the overall boost to the UK economy.

Now imagine doing just that, but with greater societal advantages. Imagine a system that not only grows the economy but also provides essential care for our young, sick, elderly and disabled. 

That’s the transformative power of the care sector.

Right now, one in four mums are being forced out of the workforce due to a lack of suitable childcare options. And one in four mums are reluctantly reducing their hours to manage childcare responsibilities. The stress of juggling work and care responsibilities is stopping women from taking on full time work or additional shifts. The lack of affordable and accessible childcare spaces are the primary reasons why mums of under fives give up work.

What’s more, this issue has a particularly profound effect on the care sector. Women, who make up the majority of care sector workers, are facing a double burden. Many are being forced out of the sector in order to meet their care needs at home.

In fact, 1 in 10 women carers have had to give up their jobs to fulfill their own care responsibilities.

We’re facing a growing need for care at all levels of society; care has never been more needed. From infants and children who need nurturing, to young people facing a mental health crisis who require higher levels of support to those who are sick and disabled who are increasingly unsupported by a health and social care system that’s on its knees. Our aging population has only intensified this need, with those in the sandwich generation caring for children and elderly parents all at once.

There are no signs of this getting better. As our population ages, we need to ensure our care system is set up to meet additional demand. Equally concerning is the impact a failing care system is having on family planning, key to supporting the older generation. Of the 30% of women who said they do not want children, 25% said financial reasons had influenced this decision.

Care is an investment, not a cost. And it’s essential to every member of our society. 

We need swift and decisive action to transform our care system, benefiting society and the economy. We urge you to act now.

Together, we can show the country that we value care and those who provide it.

UN Women UK community