Sharp rise in number of people leaving work to look after family

Labour says people are being priced out and shut out of work' at a time of record employment vacancies

The number of people who aren't working because of caring commitments is the highest since May 2020, with the last year marking a sustained increase in stay-at-home parents and carers after three decades of decline, new analysis from the Guardian reveals.

The figures are a stark warning that at a time of record employment vacancies and skills shortages, families are being priced out and shut out of work", said Labour's deputy leader, Angela Rayner.