It is no great secret that Social Care is a perpetually under-funded sector. However, last week has seen the bleakest announcement the system has ever faced. Council leaders have just informed us that their ability to support older and disabled people is ‘veering steadily towards the impossible’.

The average age of the population is ever-increasing and by 2030 it is anticipated that men will live to 86 and women to 88. It is a huge frustration that the UK government does not take the needs of the older generation into account.

The situation looks just as bleak for Children’s Social Care. Due to relentless funding cuts, it is hard to see a positive outcome for the 4 million children who currently live below the poverty line. The system often focuses its funds towards the children’s sector but when funding is as minimal as it is today, it is hard to distinguish what is an even share.

This is the severest warning we have ever been given. Last week unveiled that there is a £2 billion one-off emergency cash injection being provided for the Social Care sector. However, the Local Government Association has said we would need another £1.3 billion to stabilise the sector. Perhaps the scariest figure is that the Local Government Association has projected a £1 billion funding gap by the year 2020. 

The Tory manifesto during the general election promised ‘dignity and protection in old age’, but it seems that other issues are detracting the government’s attention away from the pressing issues in Social Care.

It seems that the Social Care sector is not at the forefront of central government’s agenda and procrastinating on the ‘elephant in the room’ will only have dire consequences without solutions. It will be interesting to see what the Autumn Budget allows for!

If you have any comments on the situation, please feel free to leave them below! We would love to hear your opinion.

For further facts and figures, visit the Health Foundation website.