Introduction
In this edition of Bridgehead Social Care's monthly news round-up we examine the adult social care sector's political and media coverage over the past month.
Between 1 and 31 December, references to 'adult social care' were made in 45 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 18 per cent lower than November'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 391 unique media articles across the UK, a figure 34 per cent lower than November's coverage statistics, which stood at 593 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
Political discussions in December 2024 have been dominated by the far-reaching effects of Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Autumn Budget, with particular focus on the rising financial pressures facing the social care and voluntary sectors due to increases in employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs).
Social care in crisis
The £20 billion annual rise in NICs, set to take effect in April 2025, has emerged as one of the most consequential tax measures in recent history. This, combined with increases to the National Living Wage and inflation, has placed immense strain on the social care sector.
Leading voices, such as Care England and the Homecare Association, warn of a looming “tipping point,” with widespread provider failures expected unless urgent government intervention is implemented.
The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) estimates that councils will face an additional £1.8 billion in adult social care costs next year. However, the government’s dedicated funding for adult social care in 2025-26 amounts to only £1.2 billion, creating a significant funding gap.
Critics argue that the government’s measures, including an £880 million increase to the social care grant and additional council tax allowances, fall far short of what is needed to stabilise the sector. The Homecare Association and other groups have called for a minimum of £2.8 billion in immediate investment.
Calls for reform
Across the UK, stakeholders are demanding systemic changes to ensure the sustainability of both the care and voluntary sectors. Recommendations include setting a national minimum price for care services, exempting care providers from NIC increases, and establishing a multi-year funding settlement to provide long-term stability.
In response to growing criticism, the government maintains that it is taking steps to address the challenges, including plans to build a National Care Service and increase social care funding by £3.5 billion in 2025-26. However, critics argue that these measures are insufficient and fail to address the immediate funding crises.
Political fallout
The Autumn Budget’s impact on social care and voluntary services has led to accusations of government indifference toward vulnerable populations. Opposition politicians, including Foyle MP Colum Eastwood, have described the measures as a "blow" to struggling sectors, calling for urgent intervention to prevent widespread collapse.
As December closes, the political landscape is shaped by mounting pressure on the government to revise its policies, with warnings of devastating consequences for care recipients, service providers, and communities if urgent action is not taken.
Parliament
There were a number of discussions in Parliament over the importance of social care and need to raise dementia awareness. Highlights of this included:
In light of the Alzheimer’s Society’s recent report the need for mandatory dementia training for social care staff was debated with Minister Stephen Kinnock stating that “we now have a national career framework for adult social care, the Care Workforce Pathway,” which aligns with the dementia training standards framework. However, MPs and peers emphasised the importance of consistent, mandatory dementia training to meet the growing needs of the population.
In the House of Lords, the economic impact of adult social care was highlighted, with Baroness Kramer noting that “sustained growth in adult social care will boost local economies via the induced and indirect effects,” especially in the North and Midlands.
Related to the economic discussion around social care was the likely effect of the National Insurance rise on the sector which featured:
Conservative MP James Wild stressing that “the Government should rethink their proposals", noting that these cost increases, including a £2.8 billion hit to providers in the next financial year, was forcing organisations into unsustainable positions.
In response to a written question from Conservative MP John Hayes about the impact of increased employer National Insurance contributions, Kinnock stated that “no specific assessment has been made on the impact of an increase to employer National Insurance contributions on care home providers.” Warnings persist about the strain these additional costs place on providers, with some MPs calling for further clarity and support.
Media Roundup
Reports this week highlight the escalating crisis in England’s adult social care sector, as workforce shortages, funding gaps, and rising costs converge to threaten its sustainability.
Key themes emerging from the latest analyses include the impact of restrictive immigration policies, insufficient funding to cover rising wages, and the urgent need for long-term reform.
Care Home Professional reports a 65 per cent drop in Health and Care Worker visa grants over the past year, with applications falling by 84 per cent between April and September 2024 compared to 2023.
Professor Martin Green OBE, CEO of Care England, warned that the ban on care workers bringing dependants to the UK has had a devastating impact, exacerbating recruitment challenges and leaving providers struggling to deliver essential services. Green described the policy as “profoundly damaging,” calling for its reversal and urging the government to treat care workers with dignity.
Meanwhile, Community Care highlights that councils face a £1.8 billion funding shortfall in 2025-26, driven by National Living Wage (NLW) and National Insurance contribution hikes. While the government has pledged an additional £1 billion for adult social care, Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) and the Local Government Association (LGA) warn this will not be enough to cover the cost increases. Sally Burlington, ADASS Chief Executive, cautioned that without further funding, councils will be forced to ration care, leaving people waiting longer for support and at greater risk of health deterioration.
The Carer covers a new report which calls for urgent reform of the local government funding system. Since the introduction of 50 per cent business rates retention in 2013, councils have faced mounting financial challenges, worsened by reliance on short-term settlements and emergency grants. The report advocates for timely, multi-year financial settlements and a comprehensive review of council tax, business rates, and funding allocation formulae. Patrick Melia of SOLACE described the current system as “comprehensively failing,” warning that without reform, councils will remain unable to plan effectively or deliver essential services.
Politics Home underscores growing calls for a long-term strategy to address the care crisis. The Local Government Association is pushing for a 10-year plan for social care to match the NHS’s long-term strategy, stressing that without systemic reform, efforts to improve health outcomes will falter. LGA Chair David Fothergill emphasised the need to codesign a sustainable system with input from providers, workers, and care recipients, while urging the government to end its reliance on council tax to fund the sector.
Finally, a report covered by Care Home Professional reveals that low pay and poor working conditions are undermining workforce retention. Researchers argue that addressing these issues will require significant investment, including sector-wide pay structures and better HR support for providers. Professor Carol Atkinson, lead author of the report, noted that care workers need not only higher pay but also flexibility and supportive work environments to perform their demanding roles effectively.
Without urgent action to stabilise the workforce, increase funding, and enact meaningful reforms, England’s adult social care sector faces an uncertain future, with far-reaching consequences for those who rely on it.
Care Home Professional - Plummeting visa numbers ‘leave social care sector in crisis’
Care England reports a 65 per cent drop in Health and Care Worker visa grants over the past year, including an 84 per cent decline from April to September 2024, severely impacting the adult social care workforce.
The ban on care workers bringing dependants to the UK, introduced in December 2023, has exacerbated the workforce crisis, undermining recruitment efforts and creating inequity between care workers and other skilled professionals like NHS staff.
With 70,000 fewer British workers in the sector over two years, international recruits were a critical lifeline. The visa restrictions now leave care providers struggling to fill roles, reducing their capacity to deliver care.
Care England urges the government to restore the right for care workers to bring dependants, increase sector investment to improve pay and conditions, and establish a fully funded, long-term workforce plan to stabilise the sector and meet growing demand.
Care England advocates for treating care workers with dignity, emphasising that humane policies are essential to building a sustainable, compassionate care system and valuing the critical role of care workers in society.
Community Care - £1bn boost to adult social care funding ‘not enough to cover costs’, warn leaders
Despite a planned £1bn funding increase for adult social care in 2025-26, councils face a £1.8bn funding gap due to rising costs from the National Living Wage (NLW) and employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs), leaving providers and councils struggling.
The funding includes £650m from council tax precepts and £400m from a social care grant, but competition with other pressured services, like children’s care, risks further rationing of adult social care, delaying care and worsening health outcomes for many.
The NLW increase to £12.21/hour and rising NICs will cost providers an estimated £2.8bn next year. Without sufficient government funding, many providers may cut jobs or reduce services, increasing the burden on councils.
Local government leaders urge the government to address the funding shortfall, warning of destabilised care markets and unmet statutory duties if systemic issues and inequitable funding distribution remain unaddressed.
Alongside incremental funding increases, targeted recovery grants for deprived areas and plans to reform the distribution model are underway, but concerns persist over their adequacy and potential to ignore broader demand-driven pressures faced by county councils and other regions.
The Carer - Urgent call for reform of England’s local government funding system
A new report highlights the need to overhaul the outdated and complex local government funding system to address financial pressures and better meet community needs.
Since the 2013 introduction of 50 per cent business rates retention, councils have faced financial erosion due to funding constraints, inflation, rising service demand, and a reliance on short-term financial solutions and emergency grants.
The report calls for timely, multi-year financial settlements, a review of funding allocation data and formulae, and a cross-party government review of council tax and business rates retention to create a sustainable and transparent funding model.
Modernising the funding system could improve public services, foster inclusive economic growth, enhance value for money, and strengthen communities, particularly aiding the most vulnerable populations.
Local government leaders and CIPFA emphasise that current funding mechanisms fail to support financial and social resilience, urging immediate action to build a fairer, more sustainable system to meet future challenges and community needs effectively.
Care Home Professional - Adult social care lacking good pay and working conditions, report finds
A new report highlights the need for increased funding in adult social care to address low pay, retain care workers, and reduce pressures on the NHS, proposing sector-wide pay structures and higher basic pay rates as key solutions.
Care workers in England are often paid near the National Living Wage, with minimal pay progression, leading to difficulties in attracting and retaining staff, particularly when compared to NHS terms and conditions.
Financial pressures from low fees paid by local authorities have constrained pay rates and created inconsistencies in terms and conditions across regions, compounding challenges for care providers.
Researchers emphasise the importance of HR support, improved working conditions, and increased flexibility to create a sustainable workforce and foster positive workplace cultures that improve retention.
The report, based on extensive data and interviews, underscores the need for parity with NHS workers and highlights the role of investment in creating a fairer, more effective adult social care system.
Politics Home - Create 10-year "standalone plan" to fix social care, say local leaders
Local leaders and the Local Government Association (LGA) stress that a 10-year plan for social care is essential to the NHS's long-term strategy, highlighting that real change is impossible without addressing adult social care challenges.
Rising demand, financial strain, and the absence of reform have left councils struggling, with 72 per cent overspending on social care budgets in 2023-24, exacerbating concerns across local government and care sectors.
NHS England CEO Amanda Pritchard and other leaders emphasise that addressing NHS issues requires tackling social care, with calls for both sectors to have aligned, long-term strategies.
Despite a £600m government pledge, this represents only a fraction of council budgets, prompting the LGA to demand immediate funding relief and reduced reliance on council tax for social care financing.
Investment in social care is framed as crucial for NHS sustainability and broader economic growth, with reform requiring collaboration across sectors and care recipients.