Two-thirds of people believe councils should receive a greater share of the total health budget to deliver adult social care services, according to a new survey.
The Local Government Association (LGA) found that while just 11% of the health and care budget is spent by councils on services for the elderly and disabled, 62% of people surveyed feel this should be higher.
The poll also showed three-quarters of people under-estimated how much of councils' budgets are spent on adult social care services.
'Councils, care providers, charities and the NHS are all united around the need for central government to fully fund adult social care, and as our poll reveals, so are the public,' said senior vice chair of the LGA, Cllr Nick Forbes.
'As a nation we urgently need to recognise the importance of adult social care. We need to shift perceptions and make adult social care just as important in the public eye and within government as the NHS. This is why we are calling for a national movement to raise awareness of what social care is and why it matters.
'It is adult social care which provides invaluable support for the elderly, disabled and some of the most vulnerable people in society. It is that support that keeps people out of hospital and living independent, dignified lives at home and in the community and alleviates the pressure on the NHS.'
