We must start planning now

Research by Which?, showing almost nine in 10 council areas across England could face a shortfall in care home places by 2022, reinforces our warning about the urgent need to reform adult social care.

As part of that, we need to deliver a long-term sustainable solution that delivers a range of high quality care and support for the growing number of people who will need it.

While the £2billion announced in the spring budget for social care was a step in the right direction, it is only one-off funding.

Social care services still face an annual £2.3billion funding gap by 2020.

But councils need to be given the freedom and flexibility to spend the additional funding for social care in the places where they feel it will be most effective.

It is absolutely critical that the government uses the autumn budget to bring forward its consultation for social care announced in the Queen’s Speech, and that it works with local government leaders in delivering a long-term sustainable solution for social care.

To tackle the problems we face tomorrow, we must start planning today.

This must address the issue of long-term funding.

But it must also create the conditions necessary to ensure the development of the right kind of care and support services, that can meet the demand of an increasing number of adults with care needs. Izzi Seccombe, Chairman, Community Wellbeing Board, Local Government