23
November
2016
|
18:17
Europe/London

Autumn Statement fails to address social care crisis says Camden Council Leader and Cabinet Member

Sarah Hayward, Leader of Camden Council, and Georgia Gould, Cabinet Member for Young People, Adults & Health, jointly respond to today’s Autumn Statement from the Government.

"Councils of all political colours, the NHS, organisations across the voluntary and third sectors, and care providers were all united in urging the Government to use the Autumn Statement to commit proper funding that the social care sector desperately needs.

"The LGA warned that social care for the elderly and disabled could be facing a potential funding gap of at least £2.6 billion. London Councils warned that in London alone the cumulative funding shortfall for adult social care will be at least £800 million by the end of this Parliament.

"Today’s failure to address this crisis is as saddening as it is staggering. It’s not scare-mongering to say that there will be a human cost to this. Extra council tax-raising powers will not bring in enough money to alleviate the pressure on social care and vulnerable and elderly people are going to suffer the impact. Our NHS is also going to suffer the impact.

"There simply cannot be a sustainable NHS without a sustainable adult social care system. We’re set to have neither.

"The social care sector is on life support and today’s Autumn Statement just pulled the plug."