Eight out of 10 councils are on course to overspend their adult social care budget this financial year, directors of adult social services have warned.
A survey by the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) found that 81% of councils will overspend their adult social care budget in 2024/25 – a jump from 72% the previous year and 63% in 2022/23.
The overspend, which is based on figures submitted before the Budget, has reached £564m in 2024/25 which is slightly down from the £586m reported in ADASS’ Spring Survey, but considerably higher than the £73.7m in 2022/23.
In 2019/20, before the pandemic, there was an underspend of £197m.
ADASS President Melanie Williams said the £600m boost for social care in the budget was welcome but warned much of this would be used up by national insurance and wage increases.
Cllr David Fothergill, chairman of the Local Government Association’s (LGA) Community Wellbeing Board, commented: ‘At its best, adult social care supports adults of all ages to live the life they want to lead. But as this vital report highlights, a range of serious concerns that councils have been raising for years remain and a vast majority of councils are now struggling to balance the books.
‘Immediate investment is needed in order to address unmet and under-met need and ensure timely access to social care for all who need it.’
