Council chiefs have called for a delay in the introduction of the cap on adult social care costs, describing it as ‘unfunded’ and claiming it will be ‘impossible’ to implement by October next year.
A new analysis by Newton for the County Councils Network (CCN) has found the costs of the new cap on care and more generous means-test announced in 2020 have increased by a third and now totals £30bn over the next decade.
The CCN says that while councils are supportive of the plans, a new survey has revealed that nine in 10 are ‘not well prepared’ to implement the changes by October 2025 due to funding uncertainty, demand for services and a persistent workforce crisis.
Cllr Martin Tett, Adult Social Care spokesperson for the CCN, said: ‘We are just over 15 months away from the introduction of seismic reforms in adult social care, and the new government must make an urgent decision on their future.
‘Councils have serious concerns over their deliverability: these new estimates show the costs have increased significantly to £30bn over the next decade, while currently the reforms are totally unfunded. The political hiatus before the election also meant preparations have been suspended nationally, while locally councils have been focused on day-to-day services, and still face major shortages in social workers.’
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said during the election it was ‘the plan’ to introduce the reforms in October 2025 and has reportedly asked officials in his department to provide a progress update on the reforms.
