Adult social care
Just a lull in the funding storm?
David Phillips examines the choices the next Government will face, including whether (and how much) to raise taxes. What it decides could have big implications for councils and those who rely on their services.
Social care is the election’s Cinderella service
Michael Burton says the main parties fall over themselves to shower largesse on the NHS and claim the service is at death’s door through underfunding, while social care’s role in reducing NHS costs is barely mentioned.
We will all pay the price for not spending on care
Heather Jameson says the Government is tinkering on the edges of the welfare reforms in an effort to ease the pressure, but it is not enough. The cost of care is phenomenal – both in terms of the cash and the long-term damage.
Seven Ways to ‘Fix’ £billions of Government Grant Money
Over eight years the local government funding formula has shifted money from poor to rich, from North to South, from inner to outer London and from urban to rural areas, says Cllr Graham Chapman. ‘The poorer the area the more it has lost.’
Working together after the storm
At first glance there’s much for local government to get its teeth into in the Queen’s Speech, not least the promise of further devolution, says Bob Neill. But more frustratingly the wait continues for the Green Paper on social care.
We need the power
The Queen's Speech made it clear that Government has been listening to the LGA on some key issues, says James Jamieson - 'but we now need a long-term settlement that gives local government the powers, money and certainty to transform their areas'.
Analogue safety rules aren’t fit for the digital world of work
Unison has developed a new health and safety gig economy guide to help employers understand what they should be doing to protect workers. Robert Baughan explains.
Queen's speech: Social care White Paper to be published
The Government has promised to finally bring forward proposals to reform adult social care and will consult on providing councils with the power to introduce an annual 2% precept.
Who are you talking to?
Who you regularly sit down with and who you talk to one-to-one makes a difference and who gets to talk to who varies from one authority to another, says Blair Mcpherson.
HEALTH MJ: Labour pledges to introduce free personal care in England
Shadow chancellor John McDonnell has announced that a future Labour Government would introduce free personal care for people over 65, in a pledge that would cost around £6bn a year.
HEALTH MJ: More elderly people have to sell homes to fund long-term care
Around 400 pensioners sell their homes each week to pay for social care, according to the latest research.
HEALTH MJ: IPPR calls for care home funding
A think-tank has called for state provision and the building of more care homes to tackle the continuing crisis in the social care sector.
Providing a clear picture of care
By bringing financial and care quality data together to be accessed in one place in real-time, 11 councils are reaping the benefits of a regional collaboration. Iain MacBeath explains.
Let’s make a collective effort
Julie Ogley argues that we need to take a wider view that puts the focus on the integration of adult social care with all other key public services.
Labour vows to make adult's social care free
Labour’s shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, has announced he will fund ‘personal care free at the point of use’ across England if the party wins the next general election.
Money for something
The Spending Round announcement last week seems a positive move for the sector on the face of it, but raises questions over the the future balance between central control and local discretion says David Phillips.
Be careful what you wish for on new revenue sources
In one province in Canada, integration has clearly not provided the complete answer to what is a financial hole familiar in the UK, says Michael Burton. But we don't have cannabis sales to help plug the gap.
Three thoughts on Brexit
Claire Kober offers three thoughts on Brexit - and says that as fantasy politics grips Westminster and Whitehall, it’s time for local government to do what it does best: delivering ambitious solutions to everyday challenges.
Ticket to independence in Lancashire
Helping adults with physical disabilities and those over 65 stay healthy and independent for longer is a key challenge. But there are ways services can change to ensure people’s lives are transformed for the better. Louise Taylor explains
Elderly people 'could die' in the event of a no-deal Brexit
A no-deal Brexit, if it happens, could result in the deaths of elderly people, according to the Local Government Association’s (LGA) Lib Dem group leader.