Agincare’s reaction to the Chancellor’s Spending Review 2020
On Wednesday 25 November Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak presented his Spending Review 2020 to Parliament.
Our CEO, Raina Summerson, sets out Agincare’s reaction to the Chancellor’s speech.
We knew that the Spending Review would not present the social care sector with the longer-term reform and funding solution it needs. However, there was an expectation – or at least hope – that the sector would receive a decent injection of short-term funding to help alleviate the ongoing pressures being felt.
This was based on the tremendous weight of evidence from pretty much everyone over recent months, and the clapping and apparent recognition of social care’s value during the COVID-19 pandemic.
So, the wholly inadequate amount of funding announced for social care in the review – along with the small increase in the national living wage (from £8.72 to £8.91) – is a real disappointment for a caring sector that has given so much for so long.
The funding shortfalls will see further strain on vital services, with councils struggling to balance their budgets while continuing to deal with the impact of COVID-19.
After all the so-called appreciation and recognition of our care workforce, this also means that the government has actually completely failed to recognise the social care workforce or to help councils and employers better reward them.
It is totally demoralising for a workforce which, in all services and all roles, remains under extreme pressure. Yet again, society will be relying on the goodwill of our social care teams and employers to keep essential services and care delivery functioning.
We have stepped up our communications, benefits and support for all team members throughout the year. We will continue to show how much we value them and all they do, while continuing to fight for better recognition and reward alongside long-term reform for the sector.
