‘Unthinkable’ social care funding announcement by UK Government: United Response CEO responds

News | 04 April 2023

The Department of Health and Social Care has confirmed that funding promised to develop the social care workforce in England will be halved to just £250 million over the next three years.

Responding to the announcement, United Response’s chief executive Tim Cooper said:

“This comes just weeks after the Sector Pulse Check report from Hft and Care England laid bare the financial and workforce pressures which have seen 42% of providers forced to close parts of their organisation or hand back care contracts.

“The sector could not have been clearer that the workforce crisis leaves some of the most vulnerable in society at risk of not being able to access the support they need. It is unthinkable that these concerns have been swept aside and is a huge retreat from what was already minimal advancement in a long-term reform for social care.”

“The government urgently needs to increase their investment now, to utilise and recognise the skills and innovation within the social care workforce, before the social care system become unsustainable.”