Councils keep spotlight on social care by publishing their own 'green paper'

Local government has been under huge pressure in recent years to paste over the cracks of social care funding gaps, but it is now taking matters into its own hands by releasing a ‘green paper’ of its own.

The results of the nationwide consultation into how social care should be funded, will be published in the autumn when the delayed social care green paper from central government is meant to be released.

The Local Government Association (LGA) has suggested over-40s pay £33 per year to fund their care in old age in the document. Another idea touted is to raise National Insurance or income tax for people regardless of age. Measures like this they say will 'rescue' care services 'from collapse’.

Keeping the government focused on social care

Whilst the LGA funding suggestions aren’t particularly new, the LGA will be hoping they will keep social care funding in the headlines whilst central government increasingly becomes absorbed by Brexit negotiations.

Cllr Izzi Seccombe, chairman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board, said: “People have a right to live the life they want to lead and high-quality adult social care and support plays an essential role in this. It is also vital to society. It strengthens communities, reduces pressures on the NHS, supports around 1.5 million jobs and contributes as much as £46 billion to the UK economy.

“But work to find a long-term funding solution for adult social care and support has been kicked into the long grass by successive governments for the past two decades and has brought these services to breaking point. It has created a deeply uncertain and worrying future outlook for people who use adult social care services now and the growing number of people who will need them in the future.

“We cannot duck this issue as a society any longer. Our green paper is the start of a nationwide public debate about the future of care for all adults, and how best to support their wellbeing, and we encourage as many people and organisations to have their say on how we pay for it and the responsibilities of citizens, families and communities."

The LGA recommendations are:

• Increased income tax for taxpayers of all ages. A 1p rise on the basic rate could raise £4.4 billion in 2024/25

• Increased national insurance. A 1p rise could raise £10.4 billion in 2024/25.

• A Social Care Premium which charges the over 40s and working pensioners an earmarked contribution. This would mean a cost of £33.40 for each person aged 40+ in 2024/25.

• Means testing of universal benefits, such as winter fuel allowance and free TV licences, which could raise £1.9 billion in 2024/25.

• Allowing councils to increase council tax by one per cent rise would generate £285 million in 2024/25.

Care sector welcomes 'LGA’s calls for more investment'

The care sector has welcomed the LGA’s ‘green paper’ with Richard Humphries, senior fellow at The King's Fund, saying: “The need for a long-term settlement for social care alongside that of the NHS has never been greater. The LGA's green paper is an important and welcome contribution to the debate and a reminder that the government must fulfil its manifesto commitment to produce a proper plan for social care.”

Dr Rhidian Hughes, chief executive of Voluntary Organisations Disability Group (VODG) called the LGA's consultation a "very welcome initiative" and said: "Where central government stalls, local government is helping to keep adult social care firmly on the agenda. We all need to engage with the questions in this report, raise the debate and fill the void left by central government’s lack of policy progress.

"The need for a long-term settlement for social care alongside that of the NHS has never been greater. The LGA's green paper is an important and welcome contribution to the debate and a reminder that the government must fulfil its manifesto commitment to produce a proper plan for social care."

George McNamara, director of policy and Influencing at Independent Age, the older people’s charity, also welcomed the "LGA’s calls for more investment, especially, in prevention and public health".

To view the LGA's green paper click here