News

The Treasury has been urged to provide an extra £300 million for local authorities to avert a crisis in social care services.

Last week, the Local Government Association wrote to Andrew Smith, chief secretary to the Treasury, strongly urging that extra resources were made available "not only to cope with the anticipated winter pressures, but with the general backlog".

A recent survey by the LGA and the Association of Directors of Social Services found social services departments overspent last year by £183m.

Sir Jeremy Beecham, LGA chairperson, said: "Without a major injection of funds in the current financial year, more people, young and old, will be denied the help they need to lead independent lives."