WIREDGOV

Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Chairman of the Local Government Association's Community Wellbeing Board responds to the ADASS budget survey 2015.

"This helpful report highlights the enormous pressures facing adult social care and emphasises the urgent need for adult social care funding to be put on a sustainable footing or care and support for the elderly and disabled will be at risk.

"Local authorities have sought to protect services for our most vulnerable people as far as possible, often at the expense of other services, and will continue to prioritise those most in need. However, the necessity for further budget savings worth £1.1 billion combined with other pressures of insufficient funding, growing demand and escalating costs mean that despite councils' best efforts they are having to make tough decisions about the care services they can provide. This cannot continue.

"We have long warned that investing in the NHS whilst social care budgets are under continual pressure is simply a false economy. It is social care services that support elderly and vulnerable people to maintain their independence, live in their own community and stay out of hospital longer which is why investing in social care is crucial not only for supporting people's wellbeing and independence but also for alleviating the pressures on the health service.

"Adult social care services are facing a £4.3 billion funding gap by the end of this decade. Government must urgently invest money in a system which will be there to look after people now and in the future, and commit to a long-term strategy to ensure that people get the care they need.