Carers save the UK '£87bn a year'
The unpaid work of carers saves the UK £87bn per year - more than the total amount spent by the NHS in the last financial year, say experts. The figure, calculated by the University of Leeds for the charity Carers UK, is up 52% since the last estimate, calculated in 2002. The average person caring for a sick or frail relative is now estimated to save the nation more than £15,260 a year. The government said measures had been taken to help carers, with more due.