Local authority leaders have welcomed a recent ‘powerful and emotive’ episode of Panorama that shone some light on the adult social care crisis.

The BBC programme revealed the impact that Government cuts and rising demand were having on social care provision in Somerset.

‘The incredibly tough decisions Somerset Council are forced to take about care and support – and the consequences for those affected and their families – are having to be taken by councils up and down the country on a daily basis,’ said Cllr Ian Hudspeth, chairman of the LGA's Community Wellbeing Board.

‘More and more people are increasingly unable to get the quality and reliable care and support which enables them to live more fulfilling and independent lives.’

Adult social care services face a £3.6bn funding gap by 2025 in order to maintain existing levels of provision.

According to a recent PwC report, commissioned by the County Councils Network, local authorities will need to spend £6.1bn per year more in 2025 on adult social care services compared to what they were spending a decade ago.

‘Work to find a long-term funding solution for adult social care has been kicked into the long grass by successive governments for the past two decades,’ Cllr Hudspeth said.

‘It is absolutely vital the Government uses its social care green paper and forthcoming Spending Review to work on a cross party basis to address the immediate funding crisis and set out how it plans to ensure that there is a sustainable, long-term funding solution that can deliver the prevention, care and support that people need.

‘This process must start now.’