There’s been much discussion about the recent Spring Budget – the winners, the losers and everyone in between.
But there’s a general consensus that that was very little done to support those in later life and their families, who are in need of adult social care.
Despite the £6bn budget boost for the NHS, a recent article from the Guardian highlighted that there was little included to stabilise England’s adult social care system.
The budget is delivering an ongoing squeeze on resources, according to the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services.
Anna Hemmings, joint chief executive of ADASS explained that millions of adults and carers will be disappointed. Directors can’t invest enough in early support for people close to home, which would prevent them needing hospital or residential care at a far greater cost.
Age UK have equally expressed concerns that this year’s Spring budget was a bit of a non-event for older people in the UK, with very few announcements of much help for them.
When it comes to funding care requirements the situation looks bleak.
The reductions in national insurance will do nothing for anyone working beyond state pension age, and many retirees face an increase in income tax while personal allowances remain frozen.
The six-month extension to the household support fund just isn’t long enough, and will leave older people on low fixed incomes without access to this extra help throughout the next winter of energy bills.
Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK really draws out the lack of consideration for our older demographic within the government’s plans, and highlights the need for greater social responsibility when it comes to looking after those in later life.
It’s important that they have access to the right support at the right time, and access to the right support when it comes to adult social care is a huge part of that.
It’s a social responsibility we take seriously at RJ Advocacy.
There is a small silver lining to the current cloud, in that the Carer’s Leave Act 2023 will come into force from April 6th.
It offers new support for employees who balance their working lives with caring responsibilities for older adults, allowing them to take at least one week of unpaid carer’s leave per year.
So many people throughout the UK provide care for an older adult, and it can be a real challenge to do this whilst working full time, or even in a part time job.
The new legislation could support over 3 million unpaid carers who are in employment across England, Scotland and Wales.
It’s a step in the right direction to help with the social responsibility we all share in looking after our ageing population.
But there’s still a lot more to be done.