2022-11-17 16:13:07
Autumn Statement doesn’t give the learning disability social care sector the stability it needs
In the face of cost pressures on the learning disability social care sector – including a workforce crisis and mounting energy and wage bills – today’s additional funding is just a drop in the ocean.
This is according to Kirsty Matthews, CEO of national learning disability charity Hft, who has responded to today’s Autumn Budget delivered by the Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt.
“After today’s announcement, it is clear that funding shortfalls in the social care sector will continue to be a battle, detracting from more pressing priorities,” she says.
“As it stands, for a number of years now the learning disability care sector has remained in a precarious position, with the majority of providers – 71% last year – operating either in a deficit or with significantly reduced income, making planning, investment and growth increasingly difficult.
“While the additional funding for social care, amounting to £4.7bn in 2024/25, will relieve some of this pressure, it falls far short of the estimated £8bn needed to stabilise the current system following years of underfunding, as recommended by the Health and Social Care Committee when the Chancellor was himself Chair.
“The crisis will only get worse until long-term sustainable funding is provided,” she added.
In addition, today’s announcement does not address other immediate costs facing care providers this winter. This includes energy bills, which have doubled for Hft. “It is vital that charitable care providers like us are eligible for the Government’s revised approach to energy support for businesses and organisations due to be announced later this year,” said Ms Matthews.
“We are pleased that the National Living Wage will be increased from next April, meaning the wages of our invaluable staff will better reflect increases in the cost of living. However, we believe this does not go far enough to truly address the recruitment and retention crisis in our sector. Local authorities must be funded accordingly so that the care sector can address high vacancy rates, which were at 16% on average last year.
“While the Government prioritised stability in today’s Autumn Statement, we are disappointed that our sector did not receive this guarantee. Without this, its promise to protect vulnerable people has also not been met. Despite our repeated calls, we are still without the means to plan for a brighter future where social care can be the best it can be for our staff, and the people needing to access the support we provide.”
Notes to editors
For further information please email media.enquiries@hft.org.uk
About Hft
Proudly established in 1962 by a group of visionary parents, Hft is a charity supporting more than 2,500 learning disabled adults in England and Wales. Together, we are creating a future where learning disabled people and their families can live the best life possible.
Providing personalised support. Creating solutions for living independently. Coming together to campaign for positive change. Fundraising for new opportunities and a bigger impact.
In 2033, we’ll live in a world where learning disabled people have greater choice. About where they live. The support they need and want. And how to spend their time and money.
Learning disability versus difficulty
A learning disability is different from a learning difficulty but the terms are often confused and used inter-changeably. A learning difficulty does not affect general intellect, whereas a learning disability is a life-long condition characterised by a reduced intellectual ability and struggle with everyday activities.
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For more information about Hft please visit www.hft.org.uk
