Care providers protest in Westminster, highlighting funding issues. Groups like Bay Care seek government help.
Providers Unite Picnic was a protest raising awareness of problems. They want more money quickly. Caroline Voaden, a local MP, attended and wants providers exempt from a tax increase. She also wants a faster social care review.
The tax increase will affect providers significantly. Rowcroft Hospice anticipates needing £225,000 more per year to cover the increase costs. Social care can use most council money, potentially leading to cuts in other services.
Councils are also paying more for nursing care. They now pay £53,352 per pensioner each year, a significant jump since 2015. Early help in social care offers economic benefits. Every £1 spent saves £3.17 later, highlighting cost-effectiveness.
Voaden thinks the government is wrong and making things harder. The tax increase hurts providers, and reforms are delayed too long. She wants the tax increase gone now and insists the social care review needs to be done faster.
Bay Care said social care is at a crisis point. The protest demonstrates its importance because lots of people rely on the system. The system has been ignored for a long time, adding to the urgency. They want things to improve soon.
They claim the government has ignored social care since the 1980s. They want fair pay and good conditions for care workers. They also want secure funding for care services and proper discussions about long-term funding.
Bay Care is urging the public to help demand change. The care system’s future is at risk without action. The government claims to support social care already by using tech to help people stay home longer.
The government also said they reduce extra rules to help NHS and social care work together more efficiently. Care workers may have better jobs soon due to these changes. New standards ensure good care technology use across the sector too.