Responding to the announcement in today’s Queen’s Speech to bring
forward proposals to address the challenges facing social care,
Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community
Wellbeing Board, Cllr Izzi Seccombe, said:
“Councils, the NHS, charities and care providers are united on
the need for the Government to take urgent action to secure a
sustainable funding solution for adult social care both now and
in future years.
“While the £2 billion announced in the Spring Budget by the
previous government was a step in the right
direction, adult social care is at a tipping point. The
Government must set out in detail its proposals at the earliest
opportunity for how it will close the £2.3 billion funding gap by
2020, and provide the vital services not just for older people
but all adults requiring support, including those with physical
and learning disabilities, and mental illness.
“This must also include consideration of how best to share the
costs of social care equitably between the state and individual.
“While this is difficult territory, local government stands ready
and waiting to work with government to deliver a long-term
sustainable funding solution for social care.
“Councils are clear that all solutions must be on the table for
discussion in the interests of securing the cross-party consensus
that is needed to forge a way forward.”
