Millions of UK carers are working two full-time roles, combining paid employment with more than 50 hours a week of unpaid care.
The Big Shift UK 2026 Report, published today (7th April) by scheduling software platform Deputy, highlights the growing pressure on millions balancing jobs with caring for their loved ones.
It estimates that 5.8 million carers live in the UK – almost one in 10 people – with around three million also in paid work. For many, this means managing what amounts to a second full-time role.
Researchers said this is shaping how people work, with carers more likely to reduce hours or move into part-time roles. Around 35% cut their hours, while 38% work part-time – both of these statistics are above national averages.
‘Flexible work is no longer a preference for many workers in this group; it is now a requirement,’ the report states.
The findings come as demand for care continues to sky rocket. The number of people aged 65 and over is expected to increase from around 11 million to more than 16 million by 2043, with those aged over 85 – the most likely to need intensive care – set to almost double by 2045.
In England, the number of older people requiring care is projected to rise by around 60% by 2040.
At the same time, the sector faces significant workforce shortages, with about 152,000 vacancies in adult social care in England in 2022/23.
Despite these pressures, healthcare has seen employment grow by 9% to 2025 and the care economy is estimated to support around two million jobs by 2035.
‘The nature of care requires human interaction, judgement and empathy, making it one of the least automatable areas of the shift economy,’ the report emphasises.
Against this backdrop, the report adds that while technology can support coordination, care work remains inherently human, helping to make the sector one of the most stable areas of employment.
However, separate research from the charity The Health Foundation shows 55% of the public believe technology improves the quality of care and just 13% say it makes quality worse – up from 8% in 2024.
The report, led by Dr Shashi Karunanethy, chief economist at Geografia, warns changes to immigration rules could further strain workforce supply.
In March 2026, the government announced stricter immigration measures, including higher English language requirements, tighter restrictions on bringing dependants, and stricter salary compliance rules.
The changes are expected to increase pressure on domestic workforce pipelines. Statistics from the Work Rights Centre highlight around one-third of adult social care workers (approximately 465,000) in the UK are from overseas.
The report, which can be read in full here, concludes: ‘As the UK population ages, the care economy will move from being a large sector to a foundational one, shaping the future of shift-based employment across the country.’
Image: Shutterstock
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