Adult social care cuts hitting half of councils

Adult social care cuts are hitting one in two English councils, a survey by charity Counsel and Care revealed today.

It found half of the 56 councils surveyed had decided to cut or reduce the range of adult care services they fund, ahead of next month’s government spending review, which is expected to deliver savage cuts to councils.

Six of the councils surveyed are considering increases to home care charging and four others are already consulting on this. Of the councils surveyed, the highest hourly rate charged now sits at £19.70 an hour.  Currently 20 councils charge more than £14 an hour, with 12 charging more than £15 an hour for essential home care.

The charity also raised concerns about councils increasing eligibility criteria. This follows exclusive research by Community Care that found that 80% of councils will no longer be meeting service users’ moderate care needs from next year on current trends, up from 75% now.

“If these short-sighted plans are put into action, the impact will be felt first by the most vulnerable, who will have to go without vital care and support and then on acute health services as people are forced to reach crisis point before they get help,” said Counsel and Care chief executive Stephen Burke.

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