Cllr Ian Hudspeth, Chairman of the LGA's Community Wellbeing Board, responds to the Panorama ‘Crisis in Care’ programme.
“This powerful and emotive programme shines an important light on an adult social care system which is at breaking point. Years of significant underfunding of councils, coupled with rising demand and costs, mean adult social care services face a £3.6 billion funding gap by 2025 just to maintain existing levels of provision.
“The incredibly tough decisions Somerset Council are forced to take about care and support - and the consequences for those affected and their families - are having to be taken by councils up and down the country on a daily basis. More and more people are increasingly unable to get the quality and reliable care and support which enables them to live more fulfilling and independent lives.
“Work to find a long-term funding solution for adult social care has been kicked into the long grass by successive governments for the past two decades. It is absolutely vital the Government uses its social care green paper and forthcoming Spending Review to work on a cross party basis to address the immediate funding crisis and set out how it plans to ensure that there is a sustainable, long-term funding solution that can deliver the prevention, care and support that people need. This process must start now.”
More information
'The lives we want to lead' - the LGA green paper for adult social care and wellbeing
#CouncilsCan: Spending Review 2019
With the right funding and powers, councils can continue to lead local areas, improve residents’ lives, reduce demand for public services and save money for the taxpayer. Securing the financial sustainability of local services must be the top priority for the Spending Review.