In response to the Communities and Local Government (CLG) Select
Committee report into adult social care, , Chairman of the Local
Government Association, said:
"The Committee has rightly recognised that an urgent review of
how adult social care is funded is essential if we are to address
the serious threats to social care provision in the long
term.
“The announcement of £2 billion for adult social
care in the Spring Budget marked a significant step towards
protecting the services caring for the most vulnerable in our
communities over the next few years, but it will not
deal with all short-term pressures and it is not the long-term
solution to the funding crisis that we have consistently called
for. It is impossible to plan for the long-term without
assurances of long-term funding.”
"The Government's commitment in this year's Budget to publish a
Green Paper which explores options for a long-term solution to
the social care crisis provides the opportunity to begin a
much-needed meaningful national conversation about how, as a
society, we should best support people of all ages with care and
support needs in our communities. For the Green Paper to be
successful, local government leaders must play a central role so
that any solutions are workable, affordable, and support the
spirit and letter of the Care Act, which councils are fully
committed to.
"All options must be on the table. The review must look at the
increase in numbers of informal carers, the care that is provided
to people with mental health conditions, learning and physical
disabilities, as well as care and support for older people. This
is the only way we will find a solution that ensures our future
generations enjoy a care system which doesn't just help them out
of bed and get them washed and dressed but ensures they have
dignified and fulfilling lives.
"With councils facing further funding pressures and growing
demand for support by the end of the decade, councils are clear
that the recommendations that come out of the Green Paper cannot
end up being kicked into the long grass like other social care
reviews, inquiries, and commissions have been in the past decade.
It is vital that political differences are put aside in the
interests of real leadership so that we can tackle this crucial
public policy question.
"We have long called for income generated by localised business
rates to be used to cover existing pressures before any new
responsibilities are considered so we are pleased that the
Committee is recommending that local government should be allowed
to use some of the additional business rates revenue to close any
adult social care funding shortfall that exists when 100 per cent
business rates retention comes into effect."
