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The news comes as a new report found that English businesses are losing out on hundreds of millions every year because of employees' caring obligations for people who have dementia.

Almost one in 10 dementia carers have to withdraw from work altogether and 12 per cent have been forced to reduce the number of hours they spend at work.

Experts have estimated that the total cost of those who leave employment or have to reduce their hours totals more than £1.6 billion.

The report compiled by the Centre for Economics and Business research on behalf of Dementia Friends - the Alzheimer's Society's campaign - estimated that throughout this year 50,000 carers will have to quit their job due to caring responsibilities.

And a further 66,000 will have to make adjustments to the number of hours they work.

Public Health England and the Alzheimer's Society are encouraging more people to sign up to the Dementia Friends initiative.

"The fact that thousands of workers in this country are juggling caring responsibilities without support and understanding from their employers is frightening," said Alzheimer's Society chief executive Jeremy Hughes.

"We're all beginning to talk about dementia, however, society is not yet fully supportive of people with dementia, either in the workplace or in everyday life. I'd love to see everyone become Dementia Friends, and make life that little bit easier for people with dementia."

Sources: Dementia Friends / PA