Latest news with #socialcare
The Independent
a day ago
- Health
- The Independent
Calls to give 65-year-olds automatic Japanese-style health checks
A radical proposal for Japanese-style health "MOTs" for people turning 65 could revolutionise adult social care in England, a new report suggests. The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) argues that this preventative approach would not only enhance the quality of life for older adults but also potentially reduce the number of care home admissions. The think tank's plan aims to curb the "spiralling costs" of adult social care, which burdened local authorities with a £23.3 billion bill in 2023/24. Sir Andrew Dilnot, who spearheaded reform recommendations over a decade ago, has backed the findings, stating that the "yawning and indefensible gap in our collective welfare provision" demands urgent attention. The state of adult social care in England is under review by the Casey Commission, which aims to set out a plan for how to implement a national care service, as promised by Labour in its election manifesto. The first phase of the review is expected to report next year, although recommendations from the initial probe will be implemented in phases over the course of 10 years. Social care leaders have raised concerns over the potential timeline of 2036 for some reforms to be introduced. The second phase of the commission, setting out longer-term reforms, is due to report by 2028. The IPPR has set out its own recommendations, insisting that there should be a 'right to live and age well' as part of any reforms. Among the measures suggested in its latest report is automatic assessment of the care needs of all adults turning 65 as well as those receiving other disability-related benefits. The report stated Government 'should look to the Japanese model of proactive assessments' and while funding will be needed for such a move, 'a more effective state social care system would invest in, not drain, the economy'. The report said Japanese people are automatically assessed for a range of support including home-based help with cooking and dressing to residential respite and some nursing or medical care for long-term conditions when they turn 65 years old. It stated: ' Care is managed by community comprehensive support centres, which employ long-term care specialists, care managers, and social workers. 'This model emphasises preventative care and home-based services, reducing both cost and reliance on institutional care while supporting family caregivers. 'Japan has half the number of people in care homes as the UK, despite a much older population.' The report's other recommendations include investment in exercise groups and community centres to support older people and those with disabilities to stay healthy and active, as well as further training and development for carers, enabling them to give more personalised care. The IPPR also argued there must be a care costs cap, based on Dilnot Commission recommendations, but with additional central Government funding. Proposals for an £86,000 cap on the amount an older or disabled person would have to pay towards their social care support at home or in care homes were scrapped by Labour last year. Sir Andrew, who chaired the 2010 commission into adult social care, said the IPPR paper 'argues powerfully and persuasively that good social care provision can be a wonderful way of enhancing human flourishing'. He added: 'For far, far too long we have had a social care system that fails us all – those who need care, those who provide care, and those who might need care in the future. 'Acting now can transform lives for those with care needs, create a vibrant and exciting care sector, and finally fill this yawning and indefensible gap in our collective welfare provision. Let's do it.' Sir Andrew previously deemed it 'completely unnecessary' to wait three years for the commission's longer-term recommendations and argued it is 'perfectly feasible' for the Government to set out by the end of this year what it is going to do. IPPR research fellow Dr Annie Williamson said: 'A proactive approach to adult social care, including universal MOT-style assessments at 65 and early support, could help people maintain independence for longer while reducing long-term costs. 'A shift to prevention will mean fewer care home admissions, better quality of life for older adults, and more sustainable funding. As the UK grapples with rising demand and strained budgets, this kind of forward-thinking reform offers a way out.' A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'Through our 10-Year Health Plan, we will shift healthcare from treatment to prevention to help people live longer, healthier lives. 'This includes diagnosing and treating conditions earlier, predicting and preventing problems before they become serious, and helping people to live healthier lifestyles. 'At the same time, Baroness Casey has begun her work on the Independent Commission into adult social care, which will start a national conversation and provide recommendations for a National Care Service that is fair and affordable for all – and works alongside the NHS.'
Telegraph
a day ago
- Business
- Telegraph
The wealthy county with the highest council tax in Britain
Rutland is often described as the one of the healthiest, happiest and best places to live in Britain. But it comes at a high cost. 'We live in a very special place, and I suppose we have to pay for that,' says one stoic Rutland resident. Her council tax bills are among the highest in the country, and are due to increase further. Bills could rise by nearly £600 under Labour. It has left residents asking: 'Why are we being singled out?' Rutland County Council charges the highest tax in the country, with the average Band D household paying £2,671 a year. The national average is nearly £400 lower. Analysis by The Telegraph found that if Rutland continues to raise council tax by the maximum amount each year, households' average bills would increase by £576 by 2030 to £3,247. And this looks likely. Councils that have social care responsibilities, such as county and unitary authorities, can increase tax by a maximum of 4.99pc – and Chancellor Rachel Reeves's spending review gave them the green light to keep doing so. Nine in 10 town halls, including Rutland, opted to raise the tax in April. The Institute for Fiscal Studies has warned that the UK should brace for council tax to rise at its fastest rate in 20 years. It means half of authorities will see increases of at least £500 by 2030. Oakham is filled with stone-coloured houses reminiscent of the Cotswolds, and is popular with tourists who arrive en masse on buses. The small county, with just 41,000 residents and its own flag and castle, also has one of the best-run councils in the country. Pride in the county runs deep, and residents are happy to call themselves 'Rutlanders'. But underneath, there is a growing resentment towards the exorbitant council tax bills. Patrick Brammer has lived in the county for 29 years with his wife Valerie, and doesn't see how the 'high tax can be justified'. The 68-year-old says: 'You get your bins collected, street lights, and that's about it. We get the same services as everyone else. It's not clear how the tax is spent.' 'I've got no problem with the council themselves,' he adds. 'I don't see why we're singled out particularly for such high council tax. Just over the border in Leicestershire, you'll probably pay a few hundred pounds less.' If you have a second home in the council, your tax bill will be much higher. Rutland County Council was one of the 204 authorities which introduced the second home premium in April. There are currently 223 second homes in the area, paying an average of £5,230. Tax rises 'driving away potential buyers' If tax rises continue at this rate, a Band H second home in the county will be paying £12,986 by 2030. Meanwhile, an average second home, a Band D property, could be left on the hook for £6,494. Henry Burgess, of James Sellicks estate agency in Oakham, says such high council tax will drive away potential buyers, which would be a 'crying shame'. He adds: 'If council tax does continue to rise, second home owners will decide they've got better things to spend their money on. It will remove any pull to get a second home in this area, which will have a knock-on effect on high streets. Instead, families could spend a little less on council tax and have a home on the coast. 'If it does keep increasing, even ordinary buyers, who are generally bound by schools or work, may opt to buy somewhere else.' Bobbi Cook, a 19-year-old single mother, has lived in Rutland her whole life. Pushing her pram with eight-month-old, Rowan, she points out how uneven the roads and pavements are. She is paying £111 a month to the council, which includes the 25pc single person allowance. But she doesn't think the council spends it well. 'As a single parent, it's a lot. If, after the bills go up, you could see the roads getting better and more police on the streets, then it would make sense because it would be going to something good,' she says. 'But at the minute, that's not what's happening. And once you have a baby, everything gets more expensive. All the bills are going up. But my wage hasn't.' Another Oakham resident, Moss, who declined to give his full name, is resigned to the imminent bill increases. 'I don't like it, but I don't have a choice,' he says. The 41-year-old says he is completely 'squeezed' by his bills, which leave him with next to no spending money each month. Last year, the Liberal Democrat-run council revealed it was in a £46.6m deficit. A spokesman said that Rutland 'gets a particularly raw deal when it comes to government funding'. It relies on council tax for 79pc of funding, compared with the national average of 56pc. He added: 'After making hundreds of thousands of pounds of savings in the last financial year, we were incredibly disappointed that we had to propose a further increase in council tax. 'This is not something that any councillor wants to do. It is because of the hand we're dealt, in terms of our national funding allocation.' 'Council tax has gone up a lot, and every year' This shortfall may be widened thanks to Labour's plans to restructure local government. The council fought, and won, for its independence as a unitary authority in 1997. But Angela Rayner's reorganisation plans mean that Rutland may be forced to merge with Leicestershire County Council. This proposal has not proved popular among residents, however, as Leicestershire's spending is set to outstrip income by more than £100m by 2027. Alicia Kearns, Conservative MP for Rutland and Stamford, has opposed reorganisation. She previously told The Telegraph there was a misconception that the county was full of 'wealthy retirees'. 'We've got one of the lowest social mobility scores in the country,' she said, adding that she does not believe merging will improve this. Diana and Chris Corp concede that Rutland is a fairly wealthy area – but council tax has gone up 'a lot, and every year'. Originally from Leicester, the former teachers have lived locally for the past 12 years, and now pay the council £310 a month. 'We don't have massive crime waves and schools closing down, however, it's not really obvious where the tax is spent,' says Diana, 76. 'There is no police presence where we live, and even though it's a small market town, there is an undercurrent of petty crime which gets neglected. 'We have to pay extra to get the garden waste taken away and that goes up every year. And the roads are appalling.' Other residents have a more generous outlook on their high bills. Terry Kilmartin, a 72-year-old local, says her council tax is 'too much', but that 'we're better off than other places'. Nitesh Bhundia, 44, owns a wine shop called L'Art de Vivre with his friend, Thomas Troisvallets. In an age where high streets across the country are struggling, the pair are confident in their business model, as there is the 'demand for high end shopping' in Oakham. Bhundia has lived in the town for six years with his wife and two daughters. 'I grew up in Leicester where there was a high crime rate and it was so unsafe. Here, the parks are well-kept and the bins aren't overspilling. We live in a bit of a bubble in Rutland,' he explains. 'There is no other place like this in England.'
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Giving Japanese-style health MOTs to all 65-year-olds could help transform social care in England
Giving Japanese-style health MOTs to all 65-year-olds could help transform social care in England, a report suggests. The proactive reviews assess what help an individual needs to cook, wash, dress and maintain their health in order to prolong their independence. Such a preventative approach would likely lead to a better quality of life for older adults and potentially fewer care home admissions, the Institute For Public Policy Research (IPPR) said. The think tank has set out a plan to stop the 'spiralling costs' of adult social care, referring to a £23.3 billion bill for local authorities in 2023/24. Its findings are supported by Sir Andrew Dilnot, the architect of reform recommendations more than a decade ago, who said the 'yawning and indefensible gap in our collective welfare provision' must be addressed urgently. The state of adult social care in England is under review by the Casey Commission, which aims to set out a plan for how to implement a national care service, as promised by Labour in its election manifesto. The first phase of the review is expected to report next year, although recommendations from the initial probe will be implemented in phases over the course of 10 years. Social care leaders have raised concerns over the potential timeline of 2036 for some reforms to be introduced. The second phase of the commission, setting out longer-term reforms, is due to report by 2028. The IPPR has set out its own recommendations, insisting that there should be a 'right to live and age well' as part of any reforms. Among the measures suggested in its latest report is automatic assessment of the care needs of all adults turning 65 as well as those receiving other disability-related benefits. The report stated Government 'should look to the Japanese model of proactive assessments' and while funding will be needed for such a move, 'a more effective state social care system would invest in, not drain, the economy'. The report said Japanese people are automatically assessed for a range of support including home-based help with cooking and dressing to residential respite and some nursing or medical care for long-term conditions when they turn 65 years old. It stated: 'Care is managed by community comprehensive support centres, which employ long-term care specialists, care managers, and social workers. 'This model emphasises preventative care and home-based services, reducing both cost and reliance on institutional care while supporting family caregivers. 'Japan has half the number of people in care homes as the UK, despite a much older population.' The report's other recommendations include investment in exercise groups and community centres to support older people and those with disabilities to stay healthy and active, as well as further training and development for carers, enabling them to give more personalised care. The IPPR also argued there must be a care costs cap, based on Dilnot Commission recommendations, but with additional central Government funding. Proposals for an £86,000 cap on the amount an older or disabled person would have to pay towards their social care support at home or in care homes were scrapped by Labour last year. Sir Andrew, who chaired the 2010 commission into adult social care, said the IPPR paper 'argues powerfully and persuasively that good social care provision can be a wonderful way of enhancing human flourishing'. He added: 'For far, far too long we have had a social care system that fails us all.' Sir Andrew previously deemed it 'completely unnecessary' to wait three years for the commission's longer-term recommendations and argued it is 'perfectly feasible' for the Government to set out by the end of this year what it is going to do. IPPR research fellow Dr Annie Williamson said: 'A proactive approach to adult social care, including universal MOT-style assessments at 65 and early support, could help people maintain independence for longer while reducing long-term costs. 'A shift to prevention will mean fewer care home admissions, better quality of life for older adults, and more sustainable funding. 'As the UK grapples with rising demand and strained budgets, this kind of forward-thinking reform offers a way out.' A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'Through our 10-Year Health Plan, we will shift healthcare from treatment to prevention to help people live longer, healthier lives.'
BBC News
2 days ago
- Climate
- BBC News
Amber heat health alerts issued as temperatures to soar
Amber heat health alerts have been issued for parts of England as temperatures are set to climb to more than will be in force from 12:00 BST on Friday until 18:00 BST on Tuesday, with the warmest weather expected on Sunday and amber alerts will be in place for five regions - East Midlands, South East, South West, East and London - while less serious yellow heat health alerts will be in force for two areas, Yorkshire and Humber and the West UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) warns that the hot weather is likely to bring increased pressures on health and social care services. The new heat health alerts come as a second heatwave of 2025 is expected in parts of the weather will last into the first part of next week, becoming increasingly intense with the possibility of recording the highest temperature of the year so follows the first heatwave of the year that saw the hottest day of 2025 recorded - 33.2C in Charlwood, Surrey on 21 June.
The Guardian
3 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Nearly 100,000 adults in England denied state-funded social care due to cuts
Nearly 100,000 adults have been denied government-funded social care because of a decade's worth of spending cuts, a Guardian analysis has revealed, as ministers come under mounting pressure to increase funding for the sector. The analysis, which is based on a study by the Institute for Government (IfG), shows the number of people in England receiving subsidised care has fallen far more quickly than the country's disability rate. The figures highlight how a range of government cuts have put so much pressure on the English social care service that it is leaving tens of thousands of people without the access to long-term care that they would have received 15 years ago. Stuart Hoddinott, the associate director of the IfG, said: 'Financial pressure means local authorities with high levels of demand are forced to ration services to people who would receive care elsewhere. 'That injustice is compounded when caring responsibilities fall to friends and family, many of whom leave the workforce or reduce working hours to care for loved ones. The government should ensure that funding for local government reflects the need for services and that it doesn't pass the costs of care on to unpaid relatives.' The social care sector has faced a financial squeeze since 2010 thanks to cuts to local government budgets. The Institute for Fiscal Studies has found that councils' core budgets are 18% lower per person in real terms than they were in 2010, with many of the cuts feeding through to social care. With less money to pay staff, the sector has faced an employment crisis, which it has partly filled by hiring workers from abroad, many of whom have been scammed or abused in the process. Experts say local authorities have rationed care by judging fewer people as needing it than they used to and putting more people on short-term care plans rather than long-term ones. Meanwhile the Westminster government has also restricted access to government-funded care by freezing the financial threshold at which people qualify for state support since 2010. The Labour government continued that practice earlier this year when it announced the rules for 2025-26. The net effect of these changes have been to restrict the number of people receiving long-term care, even as the population gets older. The IfG's report shows the proportion of the adult population receiving long-term social care has dropped from 2.3% in 2003-04 to 1.4% now, an estimated decrease of more than 250,000 people. This decline has happened almost entirely in people aged 65 and over. The report shows that 8.2% of older adults received long-term care in 2003-04 compared with 3.6% in 2023-24. The Guardian has used the IfG's figures to compare the number of people receiving long-term social care with the number of people living with disabilities, which experts say is a good proxy for need. Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion The analysis shows that had access to social care continued rising in line with disability rates, more than 98,000 more people would be on government-funded care plans now than actually are. Mark Franks, a director at the Nuffield Foundation, which also contributed to the report, said: 'The social care system is subject to big variations in quality and a patchwork of strained funding arrangements. These lead to both rationing of care and big variations in quality and availability determined by where people live rather than greatest need.' Part of the problem has been fuelled by perceived unfairnesses in the formula for allocating central government money to local authorities, which did not take account of factors like deprivation. The government signalled its intention to change that on Friday, launching a consultation into a new funding formula that would mean less money going to wealthier councils in the south-east and more to deprived and rural areas. But ministers are also under pressure to mitigate the effect of the government's decision to increase both the minimum wage and national insurance contributions for employers. The Nuffield Trust has estimated the two decisions will cost independent social care employers nearly £3bn in 2025-26, with the government now looking to find extra money to make up the shortfall. The IfG report says: 'Rationing care is not cost free. The burden of reduced access to care can often fall on friends and family – predominantly poorer people and women – who step in to provide unpaid care. 'This is both unfair, and indirectly expensive for the government, as these people are less likely to be able to work full-time (or at all). Increasing access to care can therefore support the government's goal of improving workforce participation.'
