ADASS responds to the Spending Review 2021
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Responding to the Chancellor’s Budget and spending review, ADASS vice-president Sarah McClinton said:
“It is deeply disappointing that the Chancellor failed to recognise the crisis in social care that is already upon us and will now only deepen this winter.
“We are facing a perfect storm, with care staff quitting, family carers reaching breaking point, care agencies going out of business, and people with support needs waiting longer and receiving less care and support.
“While the additional £1.6bn a year in grant funding for councils is welcome, it will do little more than meet the costs of the rise in the national living wage for care workers from next April.
“We must have immediate investment so that the dedicated, skilled people providing care and support are paid a proper social care wage that can compete the retail and hospitality sectors. It is unconscionable that we continue to expect them to work for less than they would get flipping burgers or stacking shelves.
“We must ensure that family carers, exhausted by the pandemic, get the breaks and support they so badly need.
“Above all, we must ensure that no one goes without vital care and support this winter. Without action now, there is a real risk of people suffering indignity and harm and dying alone.”