Commenting on reports regarding the social care precept in the Local Government Finance Settlement: England 2017-2018, and comments from the Prime Minister regarding social care at PMQs today (Wednesday 14 December 2016), Janet Morrison, Chief Executive of Independent Age, the older people’s charity said:
“Social care is in crisis and, while any additional money is welcome, the relaxation of the council tax rules falls far short of what is needed. It begs the question of whether the government has really grasped the scale of the immediate problem or understood the limitations of the relief that raising council tax can provide. The care and support system cannot limp along much longer and, as a matter of urgency, the Prime Minister must now deliver on her promise of finding a longer-term sustainable funding solution. Cross party talks must begin immediately to make this vision become a reality and to stop frail elderly people, now and in the future, going without the care and support they desperately need.”