In the wake of the Chancellor’ Spending Review which has been announced today, much response has focussed on the irony that it was delivered during Careers Week
Rachel Reeves outlined a series of reforms and investments aimed at modernising the NHS and improving adult social care, which she accepts faces ongoing pressures.
She announced an increase of over £4 billion in adult social care funding by 2028-29 and an independent commission led by Baroness Louise Casey which will examine how to improve outcomes using existing resources.
Laura Jordan, partner and head of corporate in the governance, funding and corporate team at Anthony Collins, said: ‘Without a plan to tackle the social care crisis, the Government’s NHS spending plan won’t work. The NHS can’t thrive without better social services.
‘We have fantastic people working in the care system in this country, who go above and beyond to deliver exceptional services to the people and families they support. But the system is broken and it can’t continue to run on fresh air, hard work and kindness.
‘Social care services for vulnerable or disabled children, adults and elderly people aren’t a nice-to-have, they are essential to our way of life. It is a statutory obligation for local authorities to meet the needs of vulnerable and disabled people, but without the means to award reasonable fee uplifts to providers, they can’t do anything to help.
‘Instead of addressing the social care crisis, Government has added to the challenges that social care providers are facing by changing the immigration rules, which will cause current worker shortages to worsen, and cutting benefits which will increase demand. Providers can’t operate without staff and adequate funding to deliver services, and more businesses will close as a result.
‘Research has shown that a third of social care providers are considering exiting the market in the year ahead. This means the remainder will be spread too thin, and the people receiving support will end up paying the price.
‘Baroness Carey’s Social Care Commission could make a difference, but the process is too slow and may not be able to deliver any meaningful benefits in time. The Government is ignoring social care and failing to recognise what an important role it plays in freeing up hospital beds and optimising NHS resources.’
Paul Kissack, Chief Executive of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation described some of the announcements, such as those concerning affordable housing as significant but added: ‘Commitments on child poverty such as the investment in Free School Meals are an important first step but to get poverty falling this parliament, we need to see an ambitious, comprehensive and transformational child poverty strategy when full details are released in the Autumn. The new multi-year settlement for local crisis support will also offer welcome clarity and is a move towards the manifesto pledge to end the need for food parcels.
‘As well as delivering on these important measures, the government must also reverse planned cuts to disability benefits which could push 300,000 to 400,000 people into poverty, including 50,000 children. Without action on both these fronts, the government cannot possibly deliver on the ambitions it has set out today.’
Kate Terroni, CEO at national disability charity United Responses said: ‘The lack of funding announced in the Spending Review gives little confidence that there will be the ambitious change people drawing on social care deserve.
‘Underfunding leaves those who need support most at risk of facing fewer choices, more disruption, and less stability. We understand the conflicting cost pressures facing the government but meaningful investment in community services is vital to supporting people to lead full lives.
‘The government’s aspiration is clear; a strengthened country and improvements for working people’s lives. Social care is central to this to this mission but we need the funding to achieve it.’
John Ramsay, founder and Managing Director of Social-Ability said: ‘On behalf of the social care sector, I’m once again disappointed by the Government’s lack of focus and meaningful reform. Shocked? No. The first-ever fair pay agreement is a step forward – but nowhere near far enough to fix a broken care system. Despite Rachel Reeves calling social care fundamental to healthcare and multiple mentions of Carers Week during Prime Minister’s Questions, there’s still no clear plan or reform programme. The spotlight remains firmly on the NHS.
‘Investment in the NHS alone won’t fix the problem. Without proper support for care homes and staff, people’s wellbeing will deteriorate, and pressure on hospitals will become unbearable. Social care cannot be an afterthought in the future NHS- it must be central.
‘This crisis is growing. Dementia cases are set to rise 40% in 15 years, and our ageing population demands a properly funded, sustainable care system – now. Bed blocking remains a major barrier, with one in four hospital beds occupied by dementia patients who could be better cared for outside hospitals if social care was fit for purpose. Meanwhile, one in four adult carers and two million child carers live in poverty. Without urgent investment and reform, the strain on health and social care will only grow—putting millions more at risk.’
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