Local government leaders `disappointed` by grant for social services

Local government leaders have expressed dismay with the amount
allocated to social services in the finance settlement for
councils.

Sir Jeremy Beecham, who is chairperson of the Local Government
Association, said: “I am pleased with the overall increase of 7.4
per cent in government support for local councils, and particularly
welcome the increase in the education SSA (standard spending
assessment) which has risen by 6.2 per cent.

“However I am sure our local authority members will be extremely
disappointed that there is no new money for personal social
services,” he said.

Beecham said the amount had not altered from the spending review
last year, despite the increased pressure on services for older
people and children.

The increase for social services is 5.4 per cent compared to
this year, as the total government grant to social services for
next year will be £9,231 million.

The figure is lower than the £9,344 announced in the
spending review in 2000 because of a transfer of money to the
Children and Families Court Advisory Support Service (CAFCASS) for
guardians. There has also been a cash transfer to the National Care
Standards Commission.