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“Councils are committed to ensuring adults of all ages have access to high quality care and support who need it, but rising costs and demand pressures mean incredibly difficult decisions are having to be made about this vital service."

“It’s good to see mental health finally getting the focus that it deserves. The report makes some important recommendations about how to bring the Mental Health Act up to date and give people a stronger say in their treatment. It’s positive that the review listened to local government and recognises the role of community mental health services in preventing people from reaching crisis point in the first place. “The LGA has consistently called for a re-focus in mental health services away from medicalisation and treating mental ill health to early intervention and support for recovery through

Over recent years, councils have protected adult social care relative to other services. But the scale of the overall funding picture for local government as a whole means adult social care services still face a £3.6 billion funding gap by 2025, just to maintain existing standards of care.

"Councils are committed to ensuring drug users get the right support and treatment, and spend more on drug and alcohol treatment than in any other area of public health. This year alone, local authorities are budgeting to spend more than £700 million on tackling substance misuse."

National adult social care organisations have come together to call for a co-produced, national workforce strategy alongside action to improve terms and conditions.

These new statistics continue to show that local council-commissioned sexual health services are at risk of breaking point, with rising demand coming at the same time as real terms cuts to funding

Patients could have to wait longer for sexual health services with visits to clinics up by 25 per cent in five years at the same time as funding for councils to provide vital public health services has been cut.

The LGA pays tribute to the social care workforce and the vital work and support they delivered through the COVID-19 pandemic and remember those who sadly lost their lives.

“Councils know their communities best, lead important work with local partners that supports and improves people’s wellbeing, and – with the right resources – will continually strive for improved performance and innovation in the way care and support is commissioned and delivered.”

“While it is positive to see the size of the social care workforce increasing, we know that issues remain with a huge number of vacancies unfilled."