MP accuses Government of ignoring NHS funding need
HALTON’S MP believes there is ‘ not enough money’ to integrate health and social care services as he accused the Government of ignoring the need for more funding.
Derek Twigg spoke during a House Of Commons debate on Tuesday, February 6, to Caroline Dinenage, who is a minister at the Department Of Health And Social Care.
Ms Dinenage earlier told the Commons that the department being renamed reflects both health and social care’s ‘interdependence and our commitment to achieve co-ordinated care tailored to individual needs’.
Labour MP Mr Twigg said though it is ‘of course very important’ that both services are integrated, he said the ‘fact remains that there is just not enough money’.
Despite highlighting praise for Halton Borough Council’s work across the two areas, Mr Twigg believes the local authority is now ‘on the brink’ concerning both money and delivering services.
He said: “Over a year ago, one of the minister’s predecessors praised my authority in Halton for the work it was doing in this area, but Halton is now on the brink in terms of the money it has and its ability to deliver its statutory duties.
“There is simply not enough money, and the Government keep trying to avoid that.”
Ms Dinenage responded by saying the ● Government has provided £2bn of extra funding over the next three years to help councils commission high-quality services. She added that councils have also been given access to up to £9.25bn of dedicated social care funding by 201920.
The adult social care precept of 2% was added to Halton’s council tax bills from 2016-17 and at the time was expected to raise £800,000, despite there being a shortfall of £4.2m in the area.
The following year, it was raised to 3% and the extra 1% charge generated an £400,000 of additional income to help deliver services.
However, the council estimated its adult social care funding shortfall had grown to stand at £4.5m.