President, Melanie Williams responds to ADASS’s Autumn Survey 2024
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In response to the Autumn Survey, President of ADASS Melanie Williams, said:
“The financial situation is at breaking point and I’m afraid the latest NICs rise, in addition to the NLW means the adult social care sector is at its limit. Councils have a legal duty to provide care for our disabled and older people, but we know that this year overspends are at their highest point.
“This crisis is affecting councils up and down the country because budgets don’t reflect the cost of care and support for disabled and older people. The Government know that to fix the NHS, they must sort social care. We need reform, but right now they must fully fund the increases in national living wage to keep the system afloat.
“The £600 million announced in the Budget was welcome, but in reality, the new money announced will end up getting used to cover employers’ national insurance increases and wage increases amongst providers. On this basis, we look forward to further discussions with government on the high demand for adult social care we are facing, and how this relates to the NHS.
“We welcome conversations about the NHS 10-year plan, neighbourhood health and the NHS settlement to understand how funding will flow through and reach people who need it, helping the government to achieve its strategic shifts in health and social care – from hospital to community, analogue to digital and treatment to prevention.”
The ADASS Autumn Survey 2024 highlights the growing and urgent challenges facing councils as they work to deliver vital care and support services amidst unprecedented financial pressures. The annual Survey is sent to every Director of Adult Social Services (referred to as Directors in this report) in the 153 English councils with social care responsibilities. This year we had a response rate of 86%. It was conducted between 12th September to 9th October 2024.