Norman Lamb MP

Minister of State for Care and Support

Department of Health
Richmond House
79 Whitehall
London
SW1A 2NS

Date: May 10^th 2013

Ref: ML.C0044.AW.10.05.13

Dear Norman,

I am writing to express my support for changing the care and support system to ensure that older people and disabled people are able to access the care they need to live dignified, independent lives. The current system is failing; 800,000 older people do not get the support they need, and nearly 1.3 million people provide more than 50 hours of unpaid care per week. I welcome the announcement in the Queen’s Speech, but unless sufficient funding is ring-fenced for social care change will not result in improved care for people who need it.

I share the Government’s position that a capped cost model should help ensure that vulnerable older and disabled people get the care they need and deserve – provided the cap is set at the right level. I am also encouraged by the Government’s statements about wanting to improve the legal framework for adult social care in order to help ensure people’s needs are met, as well as to safeguard the rights of carers.

However, while the Government is in principle committed to bringing about these changes and improving the existing system, this is meaningless without a guarantee of sufficient funding. There is as yet no funding scheme in place to ensure that the new system will be workable. If the social care system is to be made fit for purpose it is essential that it is allocated sufficient funding in the next Comprehensive Spending Review, as was recommended in the recent report from the Pre-Legislative Scrutiny Committee. If this does not take place the consequences for elderly and disabled people, and their carers, will be severe. A failure to fund the care that people need in order to live independently not only undermines the quality of life of the individuals concerned, it is also financially counter-productive, because it increases the likely need for expensive crisis care.

The previous Spending Review set out cuts of 28 per cent in real terms to the centralised funding given to local government (compared to cuts of just 8.3 per cent to Departmental budgets). The Association of Directors of Adult Social Serviceshas reported that nearly £1.89 billion has already been taken out of adult social care budgets over the last 2 years, even though demographic pressures are growing at 3 per cent per year. You will be aware that these financial pressures are forcing local authorities to severely ration adult social care services, with 85 per cent of councils now providing for ‘substantial’ or ‘critical’ levels only. For central Government to see funding for local government social care as an easy way to make financial savings is not compatible with the commitment to the rights of those receiving and providing care that is set out in the draft Bill.

It is not acceptable for central Government to simply pass the buck to local authorities as it does time and again on this and other funding issues. Ministers need to send strong signals about the importance of social care and guarantee that local authorities can meet the needs of their populations without cutting other frontline services.

It is therefore essential that sufficient funding is guaranteed in the next Spending Review. Without it, older people and disabled people who rely on care to live independent, dignified lives, and the people who care for them, will be let down by a system that is not fit for purpose. I am sure you agree that no one in 21^st century Britain should be left without the care they need to enable them to wash, dress and leave their house.

I look forward to receiving your response, detailing the Government’s plans to ensure adequate funding for social care.

Yours sincerely,

Caroline Lucas, MP, Brighton Pavilion

Read the Minister's response here.