Government cuts blamed for 11 per cent drop in adult social care spending in Portsmouth

Spending on adult social care in Portsmouth has dropped by more than a tenth in the last decade, a new report has found.
The Trade Union Congress (TUC) issued a report which revealed the real terms funding for adult social care has fallen by 11 per cent between 2010/11 and 2018/19.The Trade Union Congress (TUC) issued a report which revealed the real terms funding for adult social care has fallen by 11 per cent between 2010/11 and 2018/19.
The Trade Union Congress (TUC) issued a report which revealed the real terms funding for adult social care has fallen by 11 per cent between 2010/11 and 2018/19.

The analysis by the Trades Union Congress, which says it has adjusted the figures to account for inflation, claims that in real terms, £47 less was spent per person on adult social care in 2018 to 2019 compared to 2010 to 2011 – which equated to an 11 per cent drop.

The TUC report also highlights a four per cent real terms reduction in Hampshire with a decrease of £17 in per capita funding. It’s a situation reflected nationally and regionally with the report stating spending per head of the population in England on adult social care in 2018/19 was ‘eight per cent below its level in 2010’ and in the south east it was ‘five per cent below the level in 2010’.

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The report also revealed that in real terms, 12 out of 20 councils in the south east are currently spending less per person on adult social care.

Leader of Portsmouth City Council, Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson, has defended the Council's spending on adult social care in the face of central government funding cuts.

Picture: Habibur RahmanLeader of Portsmouth City Council, Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson, has defended the Council's spending on adult social care in the face of central government funding cuts.

Picture: Habibur Rahman
Leader of Portsmouth City Council, Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson, has defended the Council's spending on adult social care in the face of central government funding cuts. Picture: Habibur Rahman
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While the responsibility for delivering social care sits with local government the policy and funding framework is set by central government. TUC figures show that during the same period there was a £7.8bn cut to local government funding for council’s to spend on services such as social care.

Leader of Portsmouth City Council, Gerald Vernon Jackson, said: ‘Overall we have received a 40 per cent cut to our budget from central government which equates to £100m. This inevitably means making very difficult decisions which will mean cuts to certain services.’

However Cllr Jackson defended the council’s spending on adult social care and believes cuts under previous regimes may be a potential reason for the shortfall highlighted by the TUC.

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Cllr Jackson said: ‘Since the Lib Dems took over the running of the council we have added several million to the adult social care budget. Our social services budget has gone up substantially and we make a very conscious decision to make sure money goes into adult social care.

‘Our funding from government continues to be cut but every year we put money into social services rather than other things.’

While adult social care spending has increased nationally since 2017, TUC regional secretary Sam Gurney believes more needs to be done.

Mr Gurney said: ‘When communities in the south east needed them, our social care workers stepped up. Care workers looked after older and disabled people in the midst of a pandemic, often without the right PPE, and often for low wages and no sick pay.

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‘Now it’s time to fix the broken system. Social care is badly underfunded. Pay and conditions for care workers are dreadful. And families can’t be sure of high-quality, affordable care when a family member needs it.’

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