Break the Cycle Of ‘Crisis-Cash-Repeat’ In Adult Social Care, CIPFA Urges

Decades of inaction and short-term fixes have left adult social care in crisis. Without urgent reform, we risk perpetuating a vicious cycle of poor value for money and worsening pressures on local authorities across the country a report has revealed.

Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, (CIPFA), the professional body for people in public finance, has published its full consultation response to the Health and Social Care Committee’s call for evidence, Adult Social Care Reform: The Cost of Inaction, highlighting the scale of challenges and the need for reform in England’s adult social care system.

CIPFA Social Care Policy Advisor Dr William Burns, said: “For too long, governments of all stripes have relied on a reactive approach to adult social care funding—a model we call ‘crisis-cash-repeat.’ This short-term mindset fails to address the root causes of the sector’s challenges, leaving councils grappling with rising demand and inadequate resources.”

“Every delay in reforming adult social care compounds the problem. The current system forces local authorities to divert scarce resources toward immediate statutory duties at the expense of preventative measures. This perpetuates a vicious cycle where unmet needs grow, costs rise, and the opportunity for meaningful reform diminishes.”

“CIPFA calls on the Government to act urgently to break this destructive cycle. By moving away from emergency funding and taking a longer-term view, we can build a sustainable adult social care system ready to meet the increasingly complex needs of our ageing population. Investing in system reform now will yield better outcomes, deliver value for money, and create a system that supports people to live longer, healthier, and more independent lives.”