Social Care & The Budget: Sunak Swerves Social Care

Care England, the largest representative body of independent adult social care providers, has expressed disappointment that adult social care did not receive due recognition in the Chancellor’s Budget today.

Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England, says:

“Whilst there are some really welcome policies in the Budget which may in time have tangible impacts upon employment and investment, we are disappointed that social care, the real front line, hasn’t received the support that it so needs so badly. This Budget still resembled an emergency one rather than one that provided any long term assurance for the sector”.

Care England has been calling for a ‘1948 moment’ to help the sector re-boot, recover and triumph. The Budget however failed to recognise the changing cost and operational reality that has been imposed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Neither did it show support for the existing and potential role which the adult social care sector plays as a valuable employer, comparable to the size of the NHS, in the UK’s job market. Neither did it counterbalance the desperate need for an insurance strategy for the sector.

Martin Green continues:

“A ten year plan akin to that of the NHS backed by ¬£7 billion injection into the adult social care would have been a great help to the sector, a sector which is a big part of the national infrastructure. Care England will continue to put forward the sector’s case and remind the Prime Minister of his commitment to reforming the sector”.

Ends

Notes to editors:

1. Care England is the largest representative body for independent providers of adult social care
2. Care England works to ensure that care services are commissioned fairly, efficiently and on a properly funded basis, to meet the true costs of providing quality care.  Care England analysis indicates that where known around one in five councils (20%) did not increase their base rates for either residential or nursing home placements in 2018/19, despite rising inflation and increased workforce costs.
3. For Care England press enquiries related to this release, please contact Antonella Corby (020) 7492 4843 or email acorby@careengland.org.uk
4. Twitter: @CareEngland @CareEngDigital