1% council tax hike for social care ‘not enough’
Social services chiefs say government plans to increase council tax by a further 1% to help ease the pressure on adult care budgets will not solve a chronic funding crisis.
The government is considering allowing councils to increase bills in the face of spiralling demand for care – on top of the 2% hike last year.
But the politician in charge of vulnerable older people at Kent County Council said the extra money would not go far enough.
And the Kent-based chairman of the National Care Association warned the system was “on a cliff edge”.
Cllr Graham Gibbens, cabinet member for adult care, said a short-term fix would not solve the issue.
He said: “At last the government is realising adult social care needs to be adequately funded. If the council tax is increased by 1% that is transferring responsibility directly to local authorities.
“It is not really enough. Nationally, an injection of £1.3 billion pounds is needed.
“We do need considerably more money to have a viable adult social care sector.”
Failing to give councils more money would create problems for the NHS, he added.
“If there is a breakdown in the social care system nationally it will have an impact on health,” said Cllr Gibbens. “If we are not able to adequately treat people when they come out of the NHS system into social care then the chances are they will end up back in the NHS system and quite likely back in hospital.
“It is very important that we get this right.”
Asked if he thought the system was at breaking point, he said: “When I talk to my colleagues, it is clear adult social care budgets are under considerable stress.”
A 1% increase in council tax could see bills for residents in Kent up overall by 5%.
Ukip opposition leader Cllr Roger Latchford said: “I am absolutely appalled. Care of the elderly is a national problem and it shouldn’t be passed down to residents.”