The Disability Policy Centre has launched a new survey with the aim of improving the lives of unpaid carers and fixing a “broken welfare system”.

The survey, funded by Trust for London, will gather the views of 200 unpaid carers on what they need from the welfare system, how employers could better support them in the workplace, and the broader value of social security.

Findings from the survey will inform new policy recommendations, due to be published in an accessible report in September.

Chloe Schendel-Wilson, Co-founder and Director of the Disability Policy Centre, said she hopes the survey will help shape policies that influence greater financial support and improve employment opportunities for unpaid carers.

The most recent Census (2021) found that there are 5.8 million unpaid carers in the UK, with 1.7 million providing more than 50 hours of care per week.

Chloe said: “Inflexibility in employment for carers is a huge issue, which we want to help change through our research and policy.”

She added: “In 2025, the government’s attempt to make cuts to the Personal Independence Payment brought attention to our welfare system, which can be difficult to navigate, and is outdated and inflexible. We want to gather people’s views about the system, and we are delighted to have partnered with Trust for London on this part of the project.”

The survey is open now until March 2026.

If you are an unpaid carer and would like to contribute to the Unpaid Carers survey, click here.

And if you are a disabled person and want to have your say in a separate Employment and Welfare Reform survey, click here.

The Disability Policy Centre is a leading disability think tank, working with the disability sector, academics and policymakers to put accessibility and lived experience at the heart of legislation.