Carers (health and wellbeing needs in South Tyneside)
Projected Need and Demand
- According to Census figures from 2001 to 2011, the number of Carers within the United Kingdom has grown at a rate of 11% increasing by over 620,000 to 6.5 million in just 10 years.
| | Number of carers 2001 | Number of carers 2011 | Change |
| England | 4877060 | 5430016 | 11% |
| Northern Ireland | 185086 | 213031 | 15% |
| Scotland | 481579 | 492031 | 2% |
| Wales | 340745 | 370230 | 9% |
| UK Total | 5884470 | 6506257 | 11% |
- The 2011 Census stated there is an estimated 16,740 People who provide over 1 hour of care per week. Incorporating the growth rate attributed to the increase between 2001 and 2011, of 11% in 10 years, equates to approx.;
- 18,581 carers by 2021 (Short Term);
- 19,603 carers by 2026 (Medium Term);
- 20,625 carers by 2031 (Long Term).
- In turn, this also translates to approx.;
- 5320 carers working over 50 hours per week 2021 (Short Term);
- 5585 carers working over 50 hours per week 2026 (Medium Term);
- 5905 carers working over 50 hours per week by 2031 (Long Term).
- At the time of the 2011 Census it was estimated that around 1 in 9 workers in the UK had caring responsibilities, at this time around 65% of the England and Wales population were aged between 16 and 64, there were 3.9 working age people for each of those aged 65 and over. During the same period there were 3.5 working aged people in South Tyneside for every person aged over 65.
- Polling from 2019 suggested that this may be closer to 1 in 7.[xvi] Based on 67,300 estimated employed in South Tyneside during January-December 2020 (Annual Population Survey, ONS) this would mean almost 10,000 people in employment with caring responsibilities in South Tyneside.
- By 2020 there were estimated around 3 working aged people for every person over the age of 65 in South Tyneside.
- Population projections suggest that 24% of the population will be aged 65+ by 2031, with just 59% of South Tyneside residents aged 16-64. If projections are correct there will be 2.4 working age residents for every person aged 65+, it seems probable that an increased proportion of South Tyneside's workers will take on caring responsibilities in the coming decade.
- Projections estimate that the number of young people in South Tyneside will decline slightly over the next decade, this could mean an increased proportion of younger people will find themselves providing unpaid care.
