Introduction
Between 1 and 30 November, references to 'adult social care' were made in 54 separate events across the Houses of Parliament and devolved assemblies, ranging from written answers and ministerial statements to debates in the chamber. This figure is around two per cent higher than October's coverage statistics.
For context, the chart below plots mentions of adult social care on a month-by-month basis over the past 12 months.
In the media, there was a sharp increase in coverage concerning social care.
Between 1 and 30 November, references to 'adult social care' appeared in 593 unique media articles across the UK, a figure 21 per cent higher than October's coverage statistics, which stood at 492 articles.
For context, the chart below plots mentions of adult social care on a month-by-month basis over the past 12 months.
To go into detail regarding the attention the sector has received in the Houses of Parliament, devolved assemblies and in the media, here are our political and media roundups followed by our top five stories of the month:
Political Roundup
A central focus of the political attention in the last month has been focused on the Autumn Budget delivered by Chancellor Rachel Reeves at the end of October.
Much immediate attention in politics had been at some of the headline decisions, including increasing taxes by £40 billion a year and changing debt rules to finance additional infrastructure spending.
However, as November developed, an increasing amount of attention was paid to the effects fiscal decisions would have on social care. The major tax increase of the Budget, a more than £20 billion National Insurance hike on employers, is set to have an enormous effect on the sector's costs.
The Government has trumpeted its pledge for a £600 million grant for the sector to support local authorities in delivering social care.
However, the expected increase in cost to care providers, from a higher minimum wage and higher taxes, will outsize that funding boost.
The Nuffield Trust has estimated this at an extra £2.8 billion burden from next April, adding that most care providers will struggle to shoulder their share of the bill.
They add that at least £1 billion extra is needed to keep the care system afloat.
Criticism has continued to mount over the course of the month with the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) expressing concerns of their own in the past two weeks.
Melanie Williams, President of the ADASS, upon opening the National Children and Adult Services Conference in Liverpool last week, said the decision will place adult social care under “even greater financial pressure, which will be insurmountable for some care providers.”
Even before the budget, 81 per cent of councils overspent on adult social care by half a billion pounds last year, which is now set to increase.
Given the grant Reeves had announced represents just 1.5 per cent of the £38.6 billion councils have budgeted to spend on adults’ and children’s social care in 2024-25, its chances of staving of further council bankruptcies and difficulties in delivering care are slim.
Parliament
There were a number of discussions in Parliament over the failure to deliver social care capacity and the effects this has on the ability of the NHS to reduce its backlog. Highlights of this included:
A written answer by the Care Minister, Stephen Kinnock, in which the Government was forced to acknowledge the large scale of delayed discharges in the NHS, noting that "33 per cent of patients who have a length of stay of 14 or more days were delayed due to capacity reasons" including in social care.
Conservative MP Graham Stuart, during a debate on the Government's financial decisions at the recent Budget, made a point to stress that "if the NHS, however well funded, cannot move its patients into social care, that investment and expenditure will not work".
A further topic of discussion was the working conditions and pay of workers in the care sector which featured:
Tony Vaughan, Labour MP, stressed the difficult position of carers in the UK, mentioning that the "Work Rights Centre found that migrants working in adult social care ... face unsustainable working hours, low levels of pay and persistent breaches of employment rights".
Meanwhile, in a discussion on the pay of carers in the House of Commons, Stephen Kinnock noted the actions taken by the Government so far, including "legislation to deliver the first ever fair pay agreement for adult social care".
Media Roundup
Recent reports have highlighted the mounting financial strain on England’s adult social care system, with councils, care providers, and charities warning of severe consequences unless urgent action is taken.
Key themes emerging from these analyses include rising costs, increased demand, and an alarming funding shortfall that jeopardises the sector’s sustainability.
The Independent reports that eight in ten councils are on course to exceed their adult social care budgets, according to ADASS. Melanie Williams described the situation as "breaking point," noting that pressures from employer National Insurance hikes and rising wages could push the sector into deeper financial distress.
The Local Government Association (LGA) has echoed these concerns, emphasising that wage increases could absorb most of the £600 million allocated in the recent Budget, leaving little room to address critical issues such as delayed care packages and long assessment waits.
NHS England’s latest annual adult social care activity and finance report, covered by Care Home Professional, reveals over 2 million requests for adult social care support were made in the past year, equivalent to 5,715 daily. While local authorities boosted funding for reablement packages by £3.4 billion, long-term council-funded care levels are at a low not seen since 2017-18.
Additionally, Community Care highlights that carer support funding fell by £12 million last year, with the Carers Trust describing this a "travesty." Unpaid carers, described as the backbone of the system, face increasing risks of burnout with little support.
The Telegraph reports that councils warn social care costs for disabled adults could rise by over 50 per cent by 2030, reaching £17 billion. This projection adds to fears that existing funding mechanisms are unsustainable in the face of rising demand.
Meanwhile, BBC News highlights the call for urgent reform of the social care system. While Labour’s election manifesto promised a National Care Service to deliver consistent care across England, the party has yet to provide detailed plans. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has called for cross-party talks to devise long-term solutions.
Finally, a report by the Nuffield Trust, featured in The Guardian, warns that large parts of the adult social care market in England face collapse due to rising tax and wage burdens. The think tank estimates care providers will shoulder an additional £2.8 billion in costs from April, outpacing the government’s £600 million allocation.
Without intervention, many providers will struggle to stay afloat, forcing tough decisions on staffing and pay that could undermine service quality. As the Nuffield Trust cautions, "there may be little of [the sector] left to reform" without urgent financial stabilisation.
The Independent - Survey finds 81 per cent of councils on course to overspend adult social care budgets
81 per cent of councils will overspend on adult social care by March, with a £564 million projected shortfall.
Government’s £600 million is inadequate, mostly covering wage and tax hikes, leaving little for care improvements.
Rising costs force councils to make £1.4 billion in savings by 2025/26, up from £900 million.
Lack of investment in workforce, prevention, and carers hampers long-term care improvements.
Experts demand immediate, sustained funding to address unmet needs and stabilise the system.
Care Home Professional - 2 million requests for adult social care received by local authorities
Over 2 million adult social care requests in 2023-24, up 230 a day from last year.
Spending increased to £27.1 billion (+14.2 per cent), with 79 per cent on long-term support.
Long-term care recipients fell, especially for those over 65, down 28,275 since 2015-16.
Funding dropped to £183 million, sparking criticism amid unpaid carer burnout risks.
Experts urge sustainable funding and better support for carers and vulnerable individuals.
The Telegraph - Cash-strapped councils warn social care bill for the disabled to increase by more than 50pc by 2030
Social care for disabled adults could rise over 50 per cent to £17 billion by 2030, driven by population growth and increased SEND demand.
Councils face a £54 billion funding gap; many risk financial failure by the decade’s end.
Growing costs for working-age disabled adults highlight the need for specialised support.
Labour aims to create a National Care Service within a decade; critics say details are lacking.
£600 million in funding and Jobcentre reforms announced, but sector remains critical of insufficient immediate support.
BBC News - Fixing social care is urgent, says minister, after claims of impasse
The now former Transport Secretary Louise Haigh calls for urgent social care reform, highlighting decades of neglect.
£600 million in funding from Budget, Fair Pay Agreement plans, and NHS focus on prevention aim to ease pressures on sector.
Treasury hesitates on costs; cross-party talks or a Royal Commission are being considered.
Tax and wage hikes may force care home closures; families face financial strain from means-tested care.
Liberal Democrats and Conservatives accuse the government of inaction and lacking a clear plan.
The Guardian - Large parts of adult social care market in England face collapse, thinktank warns
England’s adult social care market risks collapse due to £2.8 billion in extra costs from NIC and wage increases.
Government’s £600 million Autumn Budget increase in spending falls short; at least £1 billion more is needed say providers.
Many may lay off staff, freeze wages, or close, threatening widespread market failure for England's ageing population.
Vulnerable individuals face service disruptions and reduced access to care.
Experts urge urgent government support to prevent market collapse and enable reform.