Portsmouth city councilor's plea to Theresa May to reverse social care funding crisis

Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson, Portsmouth’s Lib Dem boss, is among a group of politicians to have written to the PM demanding action.

He says local authorities across the nation have been left reeling by Whitehall-led cuts to adult social care grants, adding Portsmouth is now facing a £2m cut to its own budget for next year.

Cllr Vernon-Jackson hit out at chancellor Philip Hammond after he snubbed pleas for a funding boost to be revealed as part of his first autumn statement, last week.

Cllr Vernon-Jackson has joined forces with Tory, Labour and Independent leaders in local government, calling for funding a U-turn, warning the safety of millions of elderly people is at risk.

The letter said: ‘The fact the government appears to have chosen not to act will lower the quality of life for our elderly and vulnerable residents

‘The social care crisis is real and it is happening right now. The government cannot ignore it any longer if we are to truly have a society that works for everyone.’

The group adds that, without an urgent injection of cash to fund a £2.6bn funding gap, ‘the quality and safety of care of our elderly is at risk and the vulnerable will increasingly struggle to receive the help they need to meet basic needs such as washing, dressing or getting out of bed’.