Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered a Spring Statement emphasising economic stability and discipline in an uncertain time with rising costs, but we are disappointed that no mention was made of the immense and growing financial pressure on social care.
One in five councils with social care responsibilities have been granted Exceptional Financial Support (EFS) to allow them to set balanced general budgets for 2026/27. Our members tell us of annual fee rate uplifts for the coming year from these councils in the region of 3% to 6%, way below the estimated 11% needed to meet the National Living Wage increase and new statutory duties as a result of the Employment Rights Act 2025.
Our members, providers of services for people with a learning disability and autistic people, tell us they feel a very long way from economic stability. Vital services are closing.
Even with a statement focussing on forecasts rather than new policy, the learning disability and autism communities are being let down every day that adequate, sustainable funding is not made available by the Government.
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