Sandwiched and squeezed? Dalia Ben-Galim Institute for Public Policy Research (ippr)

Sandwich generation –simultaneously caring for dependent children (under 18) and dependent adults Recognises that people have multiple caring roles that may change over the life course –relatively new in policy terms –responds to demographic, social and employment trends Lack of robust data on sandwich generation The sandwich generation

Over 6 million unpaid carers in the UK –caring for family and friends –10% of population –3 million in paid employment full time: 66% of male carers 32% female carers part time: 7% of male carers 30% of female carers Parents –68% of mums in employment, 90% of dads –participation of mothers increases with age of youngest child –higher proportion of mothers work part time –most fathers work full time Carers + parents = sandwich generation

Who is sandwiched?

Impact of being sandwiched Lack of data makes it difficult to determine impact Gender, age, family status, employment, intensity of caring all important factors Sandwich generation more likely to be in employment Financial implications –pay penalty –pensions penalty Health implications –increases stress, poor physical and mental health

Policy developments for carers –carers strategy –personalisation agenda Policy developments for parents –work-life balance agenda –focus primarily on parents (particularly mothers) –more recent recognition of carers Surveying the policy landscape

Underpinned by caring normal and necessary part of life –employees should be entitled to paid leave for a dependent –the right to request flexible working extended with more flexibility –service delivery and design: an intergenerational approach Policy responses

How different are the needs of the sandwich generation to carers and parents more generally? What additional data/research is required to understand the size and future impact of the sandwich generation? What are the principles that should guide policy development for the sandwich generation and how does this fit with carers more generally? How should labour market policies be prioritised in the current economic climate? Key questions