Providers Call for Support as Battle Cost of Living Crisis Increases

CARE providers have today called on the Government for support as they battle a cost-of-living crisis in the wake of Covid-19 hardships.

The Independent Care Group (ICG) says providers are facing a fight for survival amidst huge increases in fuel, gas and electricity costs.

Chair Mike Padgham said: “This is a hidden crisis that could rob our communities of vital care providers, and we need help.

“Covid-19 left us battered, bruised and almost bankrupt and as we try to fight back, get occupancy levels up and survive, we are faced with huge fuel and utility bills that threaten our ability to provide any care at all.”

For homecare providers, whose staff travel to care for people in their own home, fuel costs are huge and increases in petrol prices hit them hard.

For care and nursing homes, gas and electricity costs are a large part of their outgoings and, again, increases are damaging to their hopes of survival.

“These fuel and utility price rises, coming on top of the severe financial difficulties following Covid-19 and income struggling to recover, are placing severe difficulties upon providers and for some it could be the last straw.

“I think all essentials – including emergency services – should get reduced fuel bills through the Government removing the duty for some sectors.

“And they should recognise the hardship care and nursing homes are facing by helping them with utility costs.”

He said there were already examples of homecare providers handing contracts back to commissioners because they could not viably deliver them for the price they were being paid. Care and nursing homes are also struggling with some closing and many more in danger of doing so.

“Such Government support is the least it can do for the sector whilst we wait, again and again, for the long-promised reform of the social care sector,” Mr Padgham added.