Autumn Budget 2017 overlooks social care

Following today's Autumn Budget, presented to Parliament by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rt Hon Philip Hammond MP, United Kingdom Homecare Association's Chief Executive, Bridget Warr CBE, commented:

The Budget is a huge disappointment for the social care sector and the older and disabled people whom we support. Once again there is no mention of funding for social care services, and not enough help for health services.

A Social Care Green Paper, promised in the Budget last spring, has now been delayed until the summer of 2018, and will not, in itself, provide a solution to the current challenges faced by care providers, or the councils which commission the majority of care. The Government must not kick social care into the long grass again.

Government cannot continue to ignore the evidence from providers, commissioners, sector analysts and health service colleagues on the risks to people.

With winter bound to add extra demands, we are concerned that homecare services are being pushed closer to the point of collapse by Government's inactivity. We call for Government to take urgent action to fund social care services adequately and ensure they remain viable.

Ends.

Notes for Editors

1. United Kingdom Homecare Association (UKHCA) is the professional association for more than 2,000 domiciliary care providers in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

2. As a member-led professional association, UKHCA's mission is to promote high quality, sustainable care services so that people can continue to live at home and in their local community.

3. Social care funding is a devolved matter.

4. Regularly updated statistical information about homecare services in all four UK administrations is available from "An Overview of the UK Domiciliary Care Sector" at -www.ukhca.co.uk/downloads.aspx?id=109.

5. A high resolution royalty-free image of UKHCA Chief Executive, Bridget Warr CBE, quoted in this release is available from -www.ukhca.co.uk/images/highres/bridgetwarr1.jpg

For further information please contact:

Colin Angel, Policy and Campaigns Director
United Kingdom Homecare Association Ltd
Sutton Business Centre, Restmor Way, Wallington, SM6 7AH

Telephone: 020 8661 8188
Mobile: 07393 012 113
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.ukhca.co.uk
Twitter: @ukhca

Registered in England, No. 3083104.