Spring Budget: CCN responds

County Councils Network chairman, Cllr Paul Carter, and leader of Kent County Council, said:

“We strongly welcome the announcement of an additional £2bn for adult social care. The County Councils Network has been at the forefront of the campaign to secure social care’s short, medium, and long-term sustainability.

“This money is a recognition of the immediate social care pressures facing local government and should be distributed fairly.

“It is important to recognise that counties are under the most severe pressure for care services, yet are the lowest funded councils for social care. They have the largest and fastest growing elderly populations and they face additional costs in providing local services in rural locations. Over the long-term, we look forward to working with Government on their needs-based review to ensure fairer funding for county areas.

“CCN also welcomes Government’s willingness to work with the sector and wider health service to reduce delayed discharges. Government has rightly said this is an indication of pressure on local services. It is important that we recognise the multiple challenges to reducing delayed discharges, particularly in county areas, which are not necessarily a reflection of social care performance.

“A commitment to long term reform is welcome, and we will actively engage with the Government’s forthcoming Green Paper. It is important that this paper provides clarity on the introduction of a cap on care and addresses sustainable funding options.”