Still time to have your say on adult social care

RESIDENTS and community groups still have time to share their views on the future of national adult social care funding.

The Local Government Association (LGA) has launched a consultation which addresses the major funding challenges facing adult care.

It asks for people’s views on how best to pay for social care and support for older people, adults with mental or physical disabilities and unpaid carers.

It is estimated by the LGA that services provided by councils face a national annual funding gap of £3.5 billion by 2025.

Rochdale council has seen nearly £200 million of government cuts in the last eight years.

Coun Iftikhar Ahmed, cabinet member for adult care, recently warned of a social care crisis unless a long-term funding solution was found. He said: “I welcome the LGA consultation which underlines how seriously this is being taken across local government. The consultation is open to everyone and I would urge people across the borough to have their say.

“Adult social care funding is now on the precipice of a major collapse. Government ministers have sat back and allowed this crisis to grow and grow, so I hope this timely consultation sends a clear message that enough is enough and we now need real action before it’s too late.”