2023-03-21 09:26:55
Government’s plan to cut £250m from social care workforce funding is ‘disgraceful’
Despite the focus on long-term stability, the Chancellor was notably quiet on social care funding in last week’s Spring Budget announcements. Then, today, less than a week later, there are reports that Ministers are planning to cut in half the £500m they had promised to invest in staffing for the sector.
If this is true, it’s a disgraceful about-turn from a Government that keeps promising “to fix social care”. Constant changes and empty promises from the Government are making it impossible for care providers to prevent being driven out of the market, according to Kirsty Matthews, CEO of national learning disability charity Hft.
“Only last week, Hft and Care England launched their Sector Pulse Check report in which insights from CEOs and other senior leaders in adult social care directly informed clear-cut recommendations to the Government, including securing adequate funding for workforce pay in a bid to tackle recruitment and retention challenges.
“The Sector Pulse Check report revealed that the average vacancy rate was 21% last year and that over half (58%) of the providers surveyed had to turn down admissions to services due to staff shortages. Nearly one fifth had to close services altogether due to workforce issues,” explains Ms Matthews.
“We are recommending that, as a part of the pay framework, the Government aligns benefits, terms and conditions for care staff with those in the NHS, including on pensions, statutory sick pay, holiday entitlements and access to training courses. This cost should be reflected in the Fair Cost of Care and funded by the Local Authority.
“In addition, following these reforms, the Government should establish a professional register for care workers in England to raise the status of working in social care and recognise an individual’s experience and training.
“A thriving, happy and properly remunerated workforce is fundamental to the success of social care. But to achieve it, there is no time to waste – we need urgent action, instead of the constant reversals of promises that seem to characterise the current Government,” she says.
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
