Local Authority Fee Increase Guidance Issued To Councils

The Local Government Association (LGA) and Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) have issued strong recommendations to local government on fee increases for adult social care services in England.

United Kingdom Homecare Association’s Policy Director, Colin Angel, said:

“The guidance from LGA and ADASS is a positive move to help urgently-needed funding reach the front line quickly, after several weeks of delay.  But the success of this is entirely dependent on each council acting on the recommendations immediately.

“Regrettably, despite urgent representations from provider organisations, local government’s initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been based on their own short-term budgetary considerations, rather than on meeting the anticipated cost of care during an emergency situation.

“Many local councils appear to be willing to pass the risk of financial failure to independent and voluntary sector providers, rather than absorb the immediate costs while negotiating with central Government for additional funding.  Multiple provider failure would have a devastating impact on older and disabled people who rely on care and support at home.

“In an unprecedented emergency, central Government needs to fund the full costs of community-based support and ensure that it has the powers to take direct action with those councils willing to place their provider markets at risk.  Nor is central Government addressing the cost pressures on care purchased by private individuals.”