The Care Workers’ Charity (CWC) expresses disappointment with the limited allocation for social care in today’s Autumn Budget but is encouraged by measures that could indirectly support care workers and families. While modest gains were made, such as the freeze on fuel duty and an increase in carers’ earnings limits, significant gaps remain in addressing the critical needs of the social care workforce.
Despite a £22.6 billion increase in the NHS budget, the lack of new, dedicated funding aside from Local Authority services, for social care is deeply concerning. With an NHS ten-year plan scheduled for release in the spring, The CWC hopes the government will also prioritise social care, supporting essential reforms for a National Care Service (NCS) and Fair Pay Agreement. While the fuel duty freeze offers support for care worker travel, the rise of the bus fare cap’s potential impact on recruitment remains a concern for care workers reliant on public transportation.
Karolina Gerlich, CEO of The Care Workers’ Charity, says “We are deeply concerned that the allocated funds for social care do not match the scale of the sector’s needs. With rising demands on both care workers and social care providers, more substantial support is vital to prevent further strain on services. Social care reform and the proposed National Care Service require stronger investment to ensure all in the care sector, from workers to those they care for, can thrive.”
The Care Workers’ Charity recognises that reforming social care is a substantial challenge, yet it is one that deserves bold and direct investment for the benefit of care workers and those they support. We are hopeful that the lack of specific measures in this Budget signals that significant commitments to social care will be made in the Spring Budget.
As part of CWC’s commitment to systemic change, we will host a series of roundtable discussions to explore the development of a National Care Service. Led by our newly-formed Care Worker Advisory Board, these discussions will bring together care workers, providers, unpaid carers, and sector leaders to co-create a fair, equitable system that understands the value of care work, improves care quality for all and recognises the vital impact social care makes on the delivery and provision of NHS services.
Increased funding for breakfast clubs may offer indirect support for working parents in the sector, but we believe more investment is necessary to address the unique challenges faced by social care providers and their workforce.
The Care Workers’ Charity stands firm in its advocacy for increased social care investment. We view the challenges facing social care as a national issue, requiring cross-sector collaboration and immediate action to ensure the sustainability and quality of care in the UK.