30th October 2018

PRESS RELEASE - The Budget 2018: Social Care

National Care Association welcomes the announcement of additional funding for vulnerable people being supported by social care providers and the courage of the promise of future sustained investment.
 
As always we look forward to the analysis of the detail to ensure that this funding will be available to front line services. It is imperative that the government works towards closing the funding gap in social care over the next few years, which stands at over £3 billion pounds.

This is a welcome stride forward and one which we have lobbied hard for. If this goes along the same path as previous announcements, where monies released were used to fill black holes in the NHS and local authorities, the people it is designed to support will not be touched by it.

Nadra Ahmed OBE , Executive Chairman of National Care Association said:
“In welcoming the announcement I remain cautious. Monies have been made available in the past without any material impact to the bottom line for social care. We also note the increase in the Living wage which, coupled with fee increases for CQC pending, will add to the deficit in current funding. It is good to see that Social Care has been acknowledged and we hope that the monies released will have a direct impact on the people who need it most - vulnerable members of our society who rely on care and support to maintain dignity and a degree of independence at a challenging period of their lives. 

I urge LA’s and the NHS to engage with providers at all levels to ensure that any funding released will be utilised in the best possible way to attain maximum benefit for those we care for.”
 
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For further information please contact Nadra Ahmed on 01634 716615
press@nationalcareassociation.org.uk