In response to the long-term funding of adult social care report, released today by the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee, CIPFA Health and Social Care Policy Manager Eleanor Roy said:
"CIPFA welcomes the Committee’s report and its recommendations. Given the ongoing pressures on adult social care and the charging reforms underway, we support the Committee’s call for an immediate injection of funding to address cost pressures and for a multi-year settlement. We encourage the government to act now to secure the sustainability of vital adult social care services.
"The recognition that the balance of funding needs to be addressed to reduce reliance on council tax is particularly timely. Taxpayers are already facing an increase in national insurance to pay for health and care, as well as struggling to make ends meet as a result of the cost-of-living crisis. Any increase in the social care precept to fund these pressures is likely to be a hard sell.
"We agree with the Committee’s commendation of the government for bringing forward long-awaited reforms for social care but share their concerns on the lack of a detailed plan – particularly in the crowded policy landscape of wider reforms such as health integration and levelling up.
"Providing clarity on how these reforms are to be achieved and the better alignment of policy across central government departments would help local government navigate this complex landscape, which has many competing priorities. Without such a plan and adequate funding, the vision for reform will not be realised."
Notes to editor
CIPFA provided written evidence and oral evidence to the committee, which is refrenced in the report.
For more information, please contact the CIPFA press desk.