Adult social care
When care cannot cope
Care provider Allied Healthcare may have found a buyer for its business, but Glen Garrod warns pre-Christmas uncertainty may lead some staff to walk away and some councils could transfer their contracts to other providers or bring them ‘in-house’
Over-40s care tax could net £15bn
A tax levied on people aged over 40 could raise £15bn per year for social care, according to new analysis.
Allied urges councils to consider ‘disruption’ before ending contracts
Allied Healthcare has attempted to reassure councils of its long-term future following its takeover.
Ombudsman concerned over council care policies as complaints increase
Council systems and policies are increasingly to blame for a surge in complaints over charges for social care, according to the ombudsman.
Economic value of social care tends to slip under the radar
The social care Green Paper must set out proposals that recognise the need to develop a motivated, skilled and properly remunerated workforce, says new chairman of the Association of County Chief Executives Anthony May
How to balance budgets while creating happiness
Most councils are struggling to balance their social care budgets, but Wigan MBC generated a small surplus while radically remodelling services. Donna Hall shares her journey
Minister refuses to rule out imposing asylum dispersal on councils
A minister has not ruled out forcing councils to take in asylum seekers, but said the option was not ‘desirable’.
Javid: Asylum housing system could be overhauled
Schemes for homing asylum seekers across the country could be overhauled following heavy criticism from councils.
Porter: My devolution regrets
Failing to do more devolution is Lord Porter’s biggest regret in his career as Local Government Association chairman so far, he told the County Councils' Network conference today.
Why it is time for a fair deal for everyone
The system is broken for everyone and we need to stop wasting valuable time and effort arguing with others about who has been hit hardest by austerity, argues vice chair of Core Cities Cllr Jon Collins
London leaders call for 'proper' debate on funding
Central Government needs to have a ‘proper conversation’ on public sector funding and put councils on a sustainable footing for the future, London Councils chair, Cllr Peter John, has told The MJ.
Brokenshire: We need to raise our game and get London building
Housing secretary James Brokenshire has criticised London boroughs after statistics showed a ‘mixed picture’ across the capital in the number of additional homes in 2017/18.
Warnings of 'bun fights' and help offered to Hancock at conference
Funding woes dominated the opening speeches of the National Children and Adults Services conference in Manchester.
Hancock praises over-40s tax
A tax increase for the over-40s could be introduced to bridge the adult social care spending gap after the health secretary praised the idea.
Extra care cash could be swallowed up by pay
Whatever Brexit deal occurs next March, the recruitment crisis in care and other parts of local government will get worse, says Michael Burton - and much of the extra Budget money will go on filling vacancies and paying higher wages
Social Care Green Paper should provide a platform for radical reform, says LGA
The Adult Social Care Green Paper must tackle the issue of funding and should provide a platform for radical reform, according to the deputy chief executive of the Local Government Association (LGA).
Winner’s quest to build on success
As The MJ launches its 2019 awards Michael Burton reports on how winning the 2018 Local Authority of the Year category this year made an impact on Blackburn with Darwen Council
Budget 2018: Cash for care in a Budget praising councils
In a Budget billed as the end of austerity, chancellor Philip Hammond praised local government’s contribution to rescuing public finances and doled out cash for adult social care, mental health, high streets and roads.
Budget 2018: Cash for care could be swallowed up by rates relief
Chancellor Phillip Hammond is expected to announce nearly a billion pounds for social care in an austerity-busting budget later today.
The money messages may be getting back to the centre
The accusation from local government that it is seldom listened to by central government has some merit, says Simon Edwards - but he believes key recent announcements do suggest that perhaps some of the messages from councils are cutting through.