News

Adult social care’s position as councils’ top target for government-ordered efficiency gains has been reinforced by figures showing more than £110 million was saved from the service last year.

Of almost £760 million eked out of budgets by councils last year, nearly 15 per cent came from adult social care.

Projected savings for 2005-6, announced in June, also revealed adult social care as councils’ biggest area for savings, with almost £180 million earmarked for efficiencies out of a national total of nearly £1.2 billion.

Social housing was the third biggest area for savings in 2004-5 with almost £90 million, while more than £50 million came from children’s services and more than £15 million from homelessness.

Civil servants have been working with councils since June 2004 on the best means of securing efficiencies from adult social care, through the care services efficiencies delivery programme.

Last month it began its second phase, which will involve the piloting of a number of efficiency projects.

However, some council leaders have questioned the validity of the scheme, given the private sector background of a number of the civil servants involved.