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Age UK responds to The Chancellor's Spending Review, announcing additional funding for social care

By: Age UK
Published on 04 September 2019 02:00 PM

Age UK responds to The Chancellor's Spending Review  - announcing additional funding for social care.  Today, an extra £1bn was promised for adults and children.  The Government also announced it will consult on a 2% precept that will enable councils to access a further £0.5 billion for adult social care.

Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK and co-Chair of the Care and Support Alliance said: "Although the devil is often in the detail when it comes to Government spending announcements, on the face of it the extra money announced for social care in 2020/21 should help to keep our current care system tottering along for another year. It should also hopefully mean that local authorities will not have to cut back their care spending this autumn, as many had warned was likely.

"However, the care system is in such bad shape that this new money, welcome as it is, will only buy some time for the next 12 months, it will not be sufficient to address the strategic challenges care faces, including sky high turnover among staff.

"For this we will have to wait for the Government's care reform plan which the Chancellor promised we would see 'in due course' today. For many millions of sick and disabled adults, older people in declining health and family carers, and for our many dedicated paid care workers too, this plan cannot come too soon. How useful this money will be will depend on how long the Government takes to act on implementing a new action plan for social care. We will certainly hold this Government to its pledges."

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Last updated: Jul 18 2024

Notes to editors:

Age UK is a national charity that works with a network of partners, including Age Scotland, Age Cymru, Age NI and local Age UKs across England, to help everyone make the most of later life, whatever their circumstances.

In the UK, the Charity helps more than seven million older people each year by providing advice and support.  It also researches and campaigns on the issues that matter most to older people. Its work focuses on ensuring that older people: have enough money; enjoy life and feel well; receive high quality health and care; are comfortable, safe and secure at home; and feel valued and able to participate.

Age UK’s subsidiary charity, Age International, supports older people globally in over 30 developing countries by funding programmes such as vital emergency relief and healthcare and campaigning to raise awareness and change policies.

Age UK is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England (registered charity number 1128267 and registered company number 6825798). Charitable services are provided through Age UK and commercial products are offered by the Charity’s Community Interest Company (CiC) (registered company number 1102972) which donates its net profits to Age UK (the Charity)

 

For more information

Contact the Age UK Media team on 020 3033 1430 during office hours (Mon-Fri 08:30-17:30) or for out-of-hours media support please email media@ageuk.org.uk

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