Agenda item

Motion Submitted by the Labour Group - Social Care Funding

 

Council notes that on 7 September this year the Prime Minister announced plans to reform how people pay for adult social care in England and the introduction of a new Health and Social Care Levy.

 

Council recognises that plans for adult social care reform are long overdue and that the financial sustainability of the sector is at risk. However this Council is deeply concerned that the Prime Minister’s announcement does not amount to reform; does not appear to improve the current funding position, and will have a significant financial impact on working people.

 

In particular, Council notes:

 

-     That the provision of social care is one of our most important duties as a local authority.

-     That the current situation in adult and children’s social care is an emergency after 11 years of austerity and that the funding of adult and children’s social care in England is in crisis.

-     That the overwhelming majority of funding arising from the new Health and Social Care Levy will be spent on dealing with the current NHS backlog rather than on social care.

-     That the Conservatives went into the 2019 election claiming they had a plan for social care which did not involve increasing income tax or National Insurance.

-     That a National Insurance increase impacts working people and struggling businesses without taxing income from unearned wealth.

-     That this proposal considers the future of adult social care funding only, and does nothing to address the issues in the funding of children’s social care.

 

Council, therefore, calls on the Government to review their proposed changes, to properly fund social care, and to look at a mechanism to do so that asks those with the broadest shoulders to pay their fair share of the burden.

 

Council resolves that the Leader of the Council write to the Prime Minister outlining these concerns.

Minutes:

It was moved and seconded that:

 

“Council notes that on 7 September this year the Prime Minister announced plans to reform how people pay for adult social care in England and the introduction of a new Health and Social Care Levy.

 

Council recognises that plans for adult social care reform are long overdue and that the financial sustainability of the sector is at risk. However this Council is deeply concerned that the Prime Minister’s announcement does not amount to reform; does not appear to improve the current funding position, and will have a significant financial impact on working people.

 

In particular, Council notes:

 

-     That the provision of social care is one of our most important duties as a local authority.

-     That the current situation in adult and children’s social care is an emergency after 11 years of austerity and that the funding of adult and children’s social care in England is in crisis.

-     That the overwhelming majority of funding arising from the new Health and Social Care Levy will be spent on dealing with the current NHS backlog rather than on social care.

-     That the Conservatives went into the 2019 election claiming they had a plan for social care which did not involve increasing income tax or National Insurance.

-     That a National Insurance increase impacts working people and struggling businesses without taxing income from unearned wealth.

-     That this proposal considers the future of adult social care funding only, and does nothing to address the issues in the funding of children’s social care.

 

Council, therefore, calls on the Government to review their proposed changes, to properly fund social care, and to look at a mechanism to do so that asks those with the broadest shoulders to pay their fair share of the burden.

 

Council resolves that the Leader of the Council write to the Prime Minister outlining these concerns.”

 

Following a debate on the matter, the Motion was put to the vote and declared carried.

 

RESOLVED: That Council notes that on 7 September this year the Prime Minister announced plans to reform how people pay for adult social care in England and the introduction of a new Health and Social Care Levy.

 

Council recognises that plans for adult social care reform are long overdue and that the financial sustainability of the sector is at risk. However this Council is deeply concerned that the Prime Minister’s announcement does not amount to reform; does not appear to improve the current funding position, and will have a significant financial impact on working people.

 

In particular, Council notes:

 

-     That the provision of social care is one of our most important duties as a local authority.

-     That the current situation in adult and children’s social care is an emergency after 11 years of austerity and that the funding of adult and children’s social care in England is in crisis.

-     That the overwhelming majority of funding arising from the new Health and Social Care Levy will be spent on dealing with the current NHS backlog rather than on social care.

-     That the Conservatives went into the 2019 election claiming they had a plan for social care which did not involve increasing income tax or National Insurance.

-     That a National Insurance increase impacts working people and struggling businesses without taxing income from unearned wealth.

-     That this proposal considers the future of adult social care funding only, and does nothing to address the issues in the funding of children’s social care.

 

Council, therefore, calls on the Government to review their proposed changes, to properly fund social care, and to look at a mechanism to do so that asks those with the broadest shoulders to pay their fair share of the burden.

 

Council resolves that the Leader of the Council write to the Prime Minister outlining these concerns.