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Richard Murray, Director of Policy for The King’s Fund, said: ‘The absence of new money for health or social care means that the already intense pressures on services will continue to grow.

‘The lack of extra money for social care funding in particular means we are likely to see an already threadbare safety net stretched even more thinly. This will impact on some of the most vulnerable people in society and so goes against the government’s commitment to creating a country that works for everyone. While the increase to the national living wage is welcome, it will add to the costs faced by local authorities and social care providers, making an already fragile market even more unstable.

‘The government will also need to look again at health funding in future. The planned increases in health spending are not enough to maintain standards of care, meet rising demand and transform services. In particular, the pressures will peak in 2018/19 and 2019/20, when there is almost no planned growth in real-terms NHS funding.’

Notes to editors: 

The King’s Fund is an independent charity working to improve health and care in England. We help to shape policy and practice through research and analysis; develop individuals, teams and organisations; promote understanding of the health and social care system; and bring people together to learn, share knowledge and debate. Our vision is that the best possible care is available to all.

For further information, or to request an interview, please contact The King’s Fund Press and Public Affairs team on 020 7307 2585 (if calling out of hours, please ring 07584 146035).