Economic essays in informal care : Discovery, Policy and Impact

Cox, Brock (2024) Economic essays in informal care : Discovery, Policy and Impact. Doctoral thesis, University of East Anglia.

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Abstract

This thesis comprises three distinct chapters covering informal care. The first chapter provides an overview of the current economic literature surrounding informal/unpaid carers, the current understanding of the informal care sector, and a concise explanation of the current social care landscape in the UK. The findings of this analysis have motivated the subjects of the proceeding chapters. The second chapter provides an evaluation of the “Care Act 2014” by using a Difference-in-Differences framework, with analysis on the act and additionally how it interacts with employment status and income. Evidence suggesting that carer uptake (becoming an informal carer) in the presence of the act increased between 0.9 and 2.3 % whilst carer retention (continuing to provide informal care) increased between 4.2 to 8.2 %. These estimates were statistically significant. The third chapter analyses the impact, being a carer in middle adolescence has on economic activity at aged 20 & 25 with additional analysis on employment participation and earnings at aged 25. Using Propensity Score Matching to address the selection bias present between carers and non-carers, findings suggest adolescent carers: i) were between 2.9 and 14.9 % more likely to have never gained employment by their mid-20’s relative to non-carers; ii) between 4 and 17.6 % less likely to be employed at the age of 25; and iii) between 3.8 and 14.3 % less likely to be economically active at the age of 25. These results suggest that barriers to employment have been significant for these carers and there may be long term effects long after the care has ended, impacting these individuals.

This thesis provides a comprehensive analysis of informal carers from multiple perspectives, highlighting both the legislative context and the long-term economic impacts of caregiving. This research offers valuable insights for policy and support frameworks aimed at mitigating these effects.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Social Sciences > School of Economics
Depositing User:	Chris White
Date Deposited:	20 May 2025 08:12
Last Modified:	20 May 2025 08:12
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/99307
DOI:

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