Financial sustainability and quality of local authority social care Our response to the Communities and Local Government Select Committee inquiry

Our evidence to the Committee highlights that spending cuts imposed by the Coalition Government intensified the pressure on social services from 2010 onwards. 

With pressures rising by around 4% a year – due to an ageing population and the rising prevalence of chronic conditions – there is still likely to be a funding gap by the end of this parliament of at least £1.7bn, even after additional funding through the Better Care Fund and the council tax precept are factored in.

We also highlight the impact pressures on social care have had on the NHS. For example, over the last five years problems with the availability of social care have accounted for an increasing proportion of delayed discharges from hospital.