CCN Response: Local Government to Retain £146m Care Act Funding

‘We welcome the announcement that local authorities will retain the £146m paid out this year by Government to prepare for Care Act funding reforms, something CCN has been calling for since the delay to part 2 of the Care Act was announced.

However, this funding is only a drop in the ocean in the context of the social care funding crisis.

With CCN member councils facing a funding shortfall in the region of £959m for 2015/16, Government must take action in the Spending Review and commit to investing the entirety of the £6bn earmarked for Care Act implementation back into the social care system.

This will be essential to help councils stabilise their local markets and meet the needs of all vulnerable service users.

We are committed to working with the Secretary of State, Jeremy Hunt, to ensure that we have a social care system that is not only sustainable, but that also provides high quality care and support when people need it.’

Cllr Noble was quoted in the trade press in response to the announcement, links to the stories can be found below:

Local Government Chronicle: Councils to keep 2015-16 Care Act cash

The MJ: Authorities will keep £146m to prepare for Care Act