Future government expenditure on Social Care
In view of the current economic climate, Government policy and increasing income inequality, demand for social services and the future of public funding for Social Care is uncertain.
Public investment is the key shaper of adult social care services and consequently of workforce supply and composition. Overall net expenditure on adult social care is scheduled to increase up to 2015, although funding allocations are not ring fenced. Nearly £1 billion of efficiency savings have already been made by social care services. Despite reductions in expenditure, the real idea in adult social care expenditure will be determined by the more gradual reductions taking place at the local authority level. This is further challenged by rising demands in services. Changes in the welfare and benefits system as a result of the Government’s deficit reduction policies, along with reduced employment prospects and greater income inequality are expected to increase demand for social services. The Kings Fund (2011) estimates that this rising demand will result in an overall shortfall of £1.2 billion by 2015. It is unclear whether the recent trend of rising public expenditure on adult social care services will continue beyond the current Comprehensive Spending Review period.
Sources or references
- Care Quality Commission (2011). Annual Report and Accounts, 2010/11. London: CQC.
- Department of Health (2011) Working for personalised care: A framework for supporting personal assistants working in adult social care.
- Department of Health (2012) Caring for our future: reforming care and support, White Paper.
- Humphries, R. (2011). Social care funding and the NHS. An impending crisis?
- Institute of Fiscal Studies (2012). The IFS Green Budget 2012/13.
Some of the information in this section is provided by stakeholders and expert groups, and does not necessarily represent the views of the CfWI.
