Act to Help Care in Mini Budget’ – Plea

Providers seek urgent support amidst crisis

CARE providers today called on the Chancellor for help in this week’s mini budget.
Provider organisation The Independent Care Group (ICG) says social care cannot be forgotten again as the crisis in the sector grows.

The ICG fears the Covid-19 pandemic, compounded by lower occupancy and the growing cost of living crisis have all left the sector in danger.

ICG Chair Mike Padgham said: “Amongst all the calls the Chancellor will be facing around the statement this week, he must not forget the care of our most vulnerable and must do something to help.”

The Government’s own care reforms also pose a danger to the survival of care and nursing homes, unless greater funding is provided, the Group warns. A report by LaingBuisson for the County Councils Network (CCN said an extra £854m a year was needed.

“There isn’t enough funding in the sector to pay for the changes the Government wants and unless that is addressed, providers will be lost,” Mr Padgham added.
“We understand their desire to close the gap between the fees paid by private and state-funded care recipients. But unless there is the funding in the system to pay for it there will, as the LaingBuisson reports suggests, be a loss of providers and a rationing of care.”

Mr Padgham believes social care should be given a greater share of the £12bn promised for health and social care over the coming three years and that the funding should come via income tax rather than increased National Insurance contributions.

“We desperately need extra funding and it would be much fairer, particularly during the current cost of living crisis, if such calls on funding were more fairly apportioned,” Mr Padgham added.