The County Councils Network (CCN) has called for more government funding as authorities in England could face additional social care costs of £3.7bn over the next 18 months.
A new CCN analysis found that the additional care costs are double the expected rise of £1.6bn as a result of the cost-of-living crisis, rising inflation, wage increases and demand for services.
Cllr Martin Tett, health and social care spokesperson for the CCN, said: “The situation is now worsening with rising inflation meaning councils face an extremely challenging 18 months and increased costs of £3.7bn this year and next.
“We face the perfect storm of staffing shortages, fewer care beds, and higher costs – all of which will impact on individuals waiting for care and discharges from hospital.”
Tett said this is at a time when reforms are due to be implemented in October, which gives the perception that social care is “fixed”.
The CCN called for prime minister Liz Truss to deliver on her promise made during the Conservatives’ leadership election hustings to spend more on adult social care over the next two years. Truss vowed to spend some of the money earmarked for the NHS on social care instead.
The additional funding for services is estimated to be £13bn next year and under the previous government’s plans, 9% was to be spent on adult social care. Although, the CCN warned that this funding is not aimed at addressing the immediate pressures in the system, such as to alleviate inflationary costs.
“We urge the government to confirm that social care will receive a much-needed funding boost as soon as possible in this month’s emergency budget,” Tett added.
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