Responding to reports of delays to social care reforms, Cllr
David Fothergill, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s
Community Wellbeing Board said:
“We are encouraged to see that the LGA’s call for a delay to
aspects of these reforms might be being listened to as there is
not currently the funding and capacity in place needed to ensure
these reforms are a success.
“A delay would mean that government has time to learn from the
trailblazers and ensure that the funding and support is in
place for councils that will ensure successful implementation of
the reforms. Whilst a delay would help in relation to
implementation of the cap on care costs and increased capital
limits, it is important that the funding allocated to move
towards paying a fair price for care is still made available so
that councils can begin to increase the fees paid to providers to
more sustainable levels. This funding is not a substitute for
funding inflation and wage pressures, which government must also
fund to avoid market failure
“Councils have always supported the reforms in principle and want
to deliver them effectively. The Government needs to consider the
increase in costs forecast due to inflation and increase in
living wage when addressing the additional funding that the
reforms will need.”
Ends
Notes to editors
An LGA survey found 86 per cent of councillors responsible for
adult social care think that some or all the reforms should be
delayed - https://www.local.gov.uk/about/news/evidence-immediate-pressures-social-care-growing
