Councils call for delay on social care reforms

With less than a year to go until the introduction of funding reforms in adult social care, England’s councils are requesting a delay.

They are warning that the system is under so much pressure, care services could deteriorate even more if the new measures are introduced too soon.

From October 2023, reforms are due to be introduced which are designed to protect people from catastrophic care costs and make more people eligible for state support.

But the County Councils Network (CCN) warns that the system is under serious pressure currently, with councils facing a ‘perfect storm’ of financial and workforce pressures that mean they are asking the Government to push back the introduction of reforms to October 2024.

With the Government due to announce budgetary plans, we may well see them take up the invitation to defer.

The County Councils Network (CCN) is the national voice for England’s county councils. It represents 23 county councils and 13 county unitary authorities. Collectively, they represent 25 million people, or 47% of the country’s population.