Today, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt set out the government’s budget in the Autumn Statement. Responding to the announcement, Julie Bass, chief executive at Turning Point, said:
Jeremy Hunt has prioritised the NHS and social care and targeted support for the most vulnerable in today’s budget, which is welcome. However, the below inflation increase in funding for the NHS is a risk and more detail is needed on planned investment in social care.
The health and social care sector has struggled from underinvestment, widespread workforce issues, as well as the twin shocks of the pandemic and the cost of living crisis. Protecting the NHS is paramount as is acknowledging the crucial role played by the wider system, including public health and social care services; both in the effective functioning of the NHS, as well as supporting the most vulnerable.
We support the government’s commitment to increasing the national living wage and this will help address the workforce challenges in social care with vacancies which are currently sitting at 165,000. Clarity is needed on the extent to which the additional investment in social care will cover the increased costs this will entail. We welcome the government’s plans to develop an independently verified workforce plan for health and social care.
We are very pleased that the Chancellor has uprated benefits in line with inflation and prioritised targeted support for those at the sharp end of the cost-of-living crisis, including those with a disability. This winter is going to be difficult for many and we must not let the most vulnerable fall through the cracks.
Jeremy Hunt has prioritised the NHS and social care and targeted support for the most vulnerable in today’s budget, which is welcome. However, the below inflation increase in funding for the NHS is a risk and more detail is needed on planned investment in social care.
The health and social care sector has struggled from underinvestment, widespread workforce issues, as well as the twin shocks of the pandemic and the cost of living crisis. Protecting the NHS is paramount as is acknowledging the crucial role played by the wider system, including public health and social care services; both in the effective functioning of the NHS, as well as supporting the most vulnerable.
We support the government’s commitment to increasing the national living wage and this will help address the workforce challenges in social care with vacancies which are currently sitting at 165,000. Clarity is needed on the extent to which the additional investment in social care will cover the increased costs this will entail. We welcome the government’s plans to develop an independently verified workforce plan for health and social care.
We are very pleased that the Chancellor has uprated benefits in line with inflation and prioritised targeted support for those at the sharp end of the cost-of-living crisis, including those with a disability. This winter is going to be difficult for many and we must not let the most vulnerable fall through the cracks.
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