‘The social care system is on its knees,’ says King's Fund

Commenting on the Communities and Local Government Committee’s pre-Budget report on adult social care, Richard Humphries, Senior Policy Fellow at The King’s Fund, said: ‘The Committee’s report adds to the overwhelming evidence that the social care system is on its knees. We estimate that the sector faces a funding gap of around £2 billion next year, so it is essential the Chancellor addresses this in next week’s Budget.

‘Additional funding in the Budget would provide welcome relief for older and disabled people, their families and carers who are being let down by the current system – and for hard-pressed councils and providers struggling to keep the system afloat. But without long-term reform of social care funding, this is like pouring water into a leaking bucket.

‘Successive governments have failed to meet this challenge. If the Prime Minister really believes in a country that works for everyone, it is a challenge her government cannot afford to duck.’