Data has revealed more than one in 20 carers across south east London are unpaid for the work that they do – and we’ve rounded up how many unpaid carers there are in each borough.

Data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) from 2021 has shone a light on the number of carers that currently go unpaid for the work they do.

A spokesperson for Carers UK has said that without the support of these carers the social care system in England and Wales would “collapse”.

It is estimated that a proportion of carers providing 20 to 49 hours of care each week rose from 1.5 percent to 1.9 per cent whilst the number of carers for more than 50 hours a week rose by 0.1 percent.

Statistics show that four south east London boroughs had between a 7.6 to 8.6 percentage of unpaid carers that made up the population.

Lewisham

Census data fron 2021 shows that 19,957 people in Lewisham (7.6 per cent of the population) care for someone without getting paid.

4,757 people were providing 20-49 hours of unpaid care a week and 5,133 were providing 50 hours of unpaid care a week.

Bromley

Census data from 2021 has revealed that Bromley has the highest numbers of all the south east London with a total of 25,362 people (8.3 of the population) who care for someone without getting paid.

4,671 people were shown to be providing 20-49 hours of unpaid care a week and 6,645 were providing over 50 hours of unpaid care a week.

Bexley

Census data from 2021 shows that 19,284 people in the borough (8.6 per cent of the population) care for someone without getting paid.

4,026 people were shown to be providing 20-49 hours of unpaid care a week and 5,772 were providing over 50 hours of unpaid care a week.

Greenwich

Census data from 2021 has revealed that 19,391 people (7.9 per cent of the population) in the borough were caring for someone without being paid.

4,636 people were providing between 20-49 hours of unpaid care a week and 5,991 were providing over 500 hours of unpaid care a week.

Statistics revealed that the rate of unpaid carers in England and Wales decreased over a decade, from 11.4 to 9 per cent.

Although ONS warns that as the census was carried out during the pandemic there many would not have been visiting elderly or vulnerable friends and family members.

A spokesperson for Carers UK said that a lot of carers don’t consider themselves to be unpaid carers due to caring for family members, friends or neighbours.

The charity claims that there is the possibility of more “hidden carers” that are losing out on support services and advice.

Chief executive of Carers UK, Helen Walker said: “Most people consider themselves to be a partner, husband, wife, son, daughter, good friend or neighbour and don’t recognise themselves as unpaid carers.

“We know that there are potentially many more hidden carers out there that could be getting information, advice and support and it’s essential that public services recognise this in their planning and delivery”.

"It is vital that the Government recognises the pressing needs of this huge swathe of people and develops a funded National Carers Strategy for England”.

The Department for Health and Social care said that funding of £7.5 billion will be used to support adult social care services over the next two years.

They also claimed that funding of £290 million will go into respite care for unpaid carers.

A spokesperson for the Department for Health and Social Care said: “The government has prioritised health and social care in the Autumn Statement, with up to £7.5 billion available over the next two years to support adult social care services – the biggest funding increase in history.

“Specifically for unpaid carers, we are also providing local areas with over £290 million in funding for short breaks and respite services, as well as additional advice and support”.