Council efficiency gains insufficient to fill funding black hole

Local authorities in England expect to make £177 million of
efficiency gains in adult social services this year, but councils
say it is not enough to fill a funding “black hole”,
writes Simeon Brody.

More savings have been made in adult social services than in any
other service, apart from local authority corporate services,
government figures reveal.

But despite the savings authorities have been able to make, a
report released this week claims government funding for social care
still falls well short of need.

The joint Local Government Association, Association of Directors
of Social Services, Society of Municipal Treasurers and Society of
County Treasurers report says government predictions of council
spending on adult social services were £800 million less than
was actually needed.

It says councils are trying to generate efficiencies to cover
the gap by cutting down on backroom staff and focusing on
prevention but the pressure on services is growing faster than
authorities can make savings.