Age UK has expressed profound disappointment following today's Budget announcement, criticising the Chancellor for a notable absence of new funding commitments for the social care sector. Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director of Age UK and Co-Chair of the Care and Support Alliance, stated that the Budget offered little to alleviate the immense pressures facing care services across the country, despite the sector's critical role in supporting millions of older and disabled people.
Ms Abrahams underscored the dire consequences of this omission, warning that the crisis in social care is set to deepen further without immediate and substantial investment. She highlighted that the existing funding, allocated in previous fiscal statements, is barely sufficient to keep pace with current demands and inflationary pressures, let alone address the long-standing structural issues and growing need within the sector. The charity argues that the lack of new capital represents a missed opportunity to stabilise a system teetering on the brink.
The interconnectedness of social care and the National Health Service (NHS) was also a key point of concern. Age UK reiterated that a struggling social care system inevitably places greater strain on the NHS, particularly in areas such as hospital discharge and emergency care. Without adequate community-based support, more individuals are left reliant on acute services, contributing to bed blocking and longer waiting lists, which ultimately impacts the health and wellbeing of the wider population.
While the Budget did include measures aimed at broader economic stability, such as adjustments to National Insurance, Age UK's response focuses squarely on the direct impact on vulnerable individuals requiring care. The charity has consistently advocated for a long-term funding solution for social care, emphasising that piecemeal or insufficient allocations only perpetuate a cycle of crisis management rather than fostering a sustainable and high-quality care system.
The government has previously stated its commitment to reforming social care, including a cap on care costs set to be implemented in October 2025. However, Age UK and other sector bodies have frequently pointed out that these reforms require a robust funding base to be effective and to prevent further deterioration of services in the interim. The current Budget's silence on new social care funding will likely fuel further calls from charities and opposition parties for the government to prioritise this crucial public service.
The Labour Party, in its response to the Budget, also criticised the government's approach to public services, including social care. Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting has previously highlighted the need for a comprehensive plan to fix social care, arguing that years of underfunding have left the system unable to cope with demand.
Source: Age UK