Katrina Hall’s Post

The social care sector is facing yet another crushing burden—the proposed increase in National Insurance for care providers. This comes at a time when our sector is already stretched to its limits, grappling with severe underfunding, staffing crises, and rising costs. For many providers, this increase could be the tipping point, forcing closures and leaving vulnerable individuals without essential care. The reality is simple: social care is a lifeline. It supports those most in need and uplifts communities. Yet, it continues to face mounting pressures with little reprieve. The government must take action to exempt social care providers from this increase. Failure to do so could see services collapse, care quality decline, and the lives of those who rely on this support put at further risk. We can’t let that happen. Please take a moment to sign the petition and show your support for exempting social care providers from this increase. Let’s stand together for those who dedicate their lives to care and for the people who need it most. 🖊️ Sign here: https://lnkd.in/eFeVwu3a

Care England Urges Providers to Sign Petition to Exempt Social Care from Employer NIC Increases Care England, the leading voice for adult social care across England, is calling for it’s members to sign and share this petition to exempt all social care providers from the employer NIC increases. You can access the petition here. Commenting on the petition, Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England said: “The Government’s decision to push ahead with the employer National Insurance Contribution (NIC) changes is nothing short of a blow to the heart of the adult social care sector. Care providers are already struggling to stay afloat under the weight of rising costs, and this increase could be the final straw for many. This is a government-created crisis, and the refusal to exempt, defer or fund the impact social care providers will have from these increases shows a shocking disregard for the millions of people who rely on this care every day. I urge every care provider to sign this petition, and share with their staff, their residents and their residents’ families. This is a fight for the future of adult social care; for those we care for, for our workforce, the communities they serve, and for the sustainability of a sector that cannot bear another financial hit. It’s time for the Government to listen and act before it’s too late. The consequences of this decision are stark and deeply troubling. Services for working-age adults with complex needs risk disappearing altogether, leaving some of the most vulnerable members of our society without the specialised care they rely on to live independently and with dignity. For older people, the impact is equally devastating; delayed care, reduced access to vital support, and the very real prospect of losing the services that enable them to age with comfort and security. This is not just about numbers; it’s about lives profoundly disrupted and communities left to bear the cost of inaction.” Read More:

“Gaping Chasm” In Social care Funding Warns MHA There’s a gaping chasm between government funding for social care and the cost of providing care, MHA Chief Executive Sam Monaghan was warned, ahead of todays budget. The Chancellor is widely believed to be cutting National Insurance contributions as the country prepares for a general election later this year. Som said: “In reality, we’re not expecting this shortfall to be addressed when the Chancellor outlines his Spring Budget this week.” “But what we do want is for all political parties to present a credible, sustainable plan to put to voters ahead of the next General Election. This is why we’ve been asking our supporters to write to their local MP, to ensure social care remains high on the agenda.” “The sector has reached a crisis point. There are nearly half a million people waiting to be assessed and an estimated 152,000 staff vacancies in the sector. Local authorities are falling into bankruptcy, NHS waiting lists are growing and older people are too often not getting the choice and quality of care they deserve. We know that fixing these problems will require significant investment and that whoever forms the next government will need to increase funding in an affordable and manageable way. But this does not prevent the main political parties from demonstrating that they understand the sector’s needs and are willing to tackle its issues head on. We’ll wait and see what today brings." Read More:

Please can you help? The increase in the Employer's National Insurance contributions in the recent budget has put a significant burden on the Social Care Sector. I run two domiciliary care businesses with wonderful, hard working and caring people going out at all times of day and night to care for the vulnerable, those suffering and in pain on a daily basis and to provide much needed care in their own home for those who are sadly end of life. We deliver a lot of care for the NHS (who will be exempt from this increase in E'ers NI). The cost to us alone is approx £50,000 which we cannot pass on as the NHS are still paying us 23/24 rates, local authorities are under funded for social care and private individuals are struggling with cost of living. There will be some social care providers who go out of business as a result of this increase in NI leaving vulnerable people without essential care. It will have a significant impact on us and our teams. Please sign and share this petition requesting that the Social Care Sector be exempt from the increase in NI so that we are treated like the NHS for whom we provide care. https://lnkd.in/exttb7Wn 

Anger Over ‘Meaningless’ Petition Response Social Care providers have reacted angrily to a “meaningless” Government response to a petition calling for the sector to be exempt from the increase in National Insurance many fear will damage care. The petition has so far reached 31,000 signatures and when it passed 10,000 it required a Government response. In that response, the Government says help in meeting the extra National Insurance costs will only go to public sector organisations. It says extra funding has been made available to local authorities to support social care and that further reform of the sector “will not happen overnight”. The care provider organisation, The Independent Care Group (ICG) has reacted angrily to the Government’s response. ICG Chair Mike Padgham said: “This response is to a great extent meaningless and not very helpful and should serve as an incentive to the sector to get the petition past 100,000 signatures and to press for a full debate on the issue. I would urge all providers to sign the petition straight away and send the message to the Government that we are not happy with the situation. “Limiting Government support to public sector organisations blatantly ignores the fact that the bulk of adult social care is delivered by independent providers delivering publicly-funded care to older, vulnerable and disabled people. If social care is not made exempt from the ENIC increase or better funding made available, there will be more provider closures and less and less care delivered – adding to the 2m who currently can’t get the care they need. “The response refers to the total budget the Government is making available to local authorities but only some £600m extra has been allocated for social care – that won’t go anywhere near meeting the extra £2.8bn increase in costs the social care sector is facing due to the National Insurance increase and rises in the National Living and National Minimum wages. “As to the reference to change not happening overnight, that almost beggars belief. We have been waiting more than 30 years for reform to social care, seeing government after government kick the issue down the road time and time again. This Government seems intent on doing the same, avoiding facing up to reforming social care.” The ICG has called for a concerted effort to get the petition over 100,000 to persuade the Government to debate the issue. It has also called on the Government to wake up to the vital role social care plays and how vital it is to future NHS reforms. Mr Padgham added: “The Prime Minister has today made cutting NHS waiting lists one of his milestones on which to judge the Government. “But he does so without mentioning reform of social care, which surely goes hand in hand with any improvements to the NHS. The Government cannot achieve one without the other. “Central to the Government’s plans for the NHS is moving from hospital to community, but they aren’t going to achieve that unless the…

Petition Update: "Exempt all social care providers from the employer NIC increase"... 🏥 It's nearly a week since OACP (Oxfordshire Association of Care Providers) posted information about the above petition since then numbers have been steadily rising...let's take a look. The social care sector is facing immense pressure due to ongoing funding and staffing challenges. The recent increase in employer National Insurance (NIC) contributions will only exacerbate these difficulties. This additional financial burden will harm care providers, affecting their ability to deliver quality care and support. 🙅♀️💼 The Adult Social Care sector is calling on the government to review this decision and exempt all social care providers from this increase to safeguard the future of social care in our communities. 💙 📊 Progress Update: As of last Friday, the petition had garnered 26,216 signatures. Since then, support has been steadily growing, and we’re now at 29,423 signatures! 📈✨ When the petition reaches 100,000 signatures, it will be eligible for consideration in Parliament. 🏛️ You can sign the petition here: https://lnkd.in/eqSdzx9D At 100,000 signatures... this petition will be considered for debate in Parliament. All petitions run for 6 months - Deadline 5 May 2025.

❗️Petition to exempt all social care providers from the employer NIC increase❗️ The Government's latest tax hike threatens to cripple the social care sector. The recent Autumn Statement has delivered a devastating blow to the already beleaguered social care sector. The increase in employer National Insurance contributions, coupled with rising wages, is set to push many care providers to the brink. Why is this a problem? ❌️ Increased costs, reduced care: Higher operating costs will force providers to cut back on services or close their doors entirely. This will lead to a significant reduction in the availability of care, leaving vulnerable individuals without the support they desperately need. ❌️ Exacerbated workforce shortages: The sector is already grappling with a severe staffing crisis. Increased costs will further discourage potential workers and accelerate the exodus of existing staff. ❌️Delayed NHS recovery: A robust social care system is essential for the effective functioning of the NHS. Without adequate social care support, hospitals will struggle to discharge patients, leading to longer waiting times and increased pressure on the entire healthcare system. What must be done? The Government must take immediate action to mitigate the impact of these cost increases: ✔️ Exempt social care providers from the National Insurance hike: This would provide much-needed relief to the sector, allowing providers to reinvest in staff and services. ✔️ Ring-fence funding for social care: Increased funding is essential to cover the rising costs of care and ensure the sustainability of the sector. ✔️ Prioritise social care in long-term planning: The Government must recognise the critical role of social care in delivering high-quality healthcare and invest accordingly. The time for action is NOW. We urge the Government to listen to the concerns of the social care sector and take decisive steps to protect the most vulnerable in our society. if you agree, please sign the petition.

The CPA's Urgent Call to Action Last week’s report from the Care Provider Alliance (CPA) highlights the severe challenges facing social care - something I've spoken about often here. Without urgent government intervention, care providers could collapse under increased National Insurance contributions and National Living Wage rises, leaving vulnerable people without vital support. This sector supports society yet is being treated like any other private business - when it's technically part of the Health & Social Care Service. The sector, already struggling from the pandemic and cost-of-living crisis, now faces a £2.8 billion funding shortfall. If nothing is done, families and the NHS will face even greater pressure, picking up the pieces when providers can no longer cope. Some may collapse, some may pack up and give up. Some may refuse to work with local authorities any more. Behind the statistics are real people - carers, managers, and those receiving care - all doing their best in the face of mounting challenges. The CPA’s survey reveals: 73% of providers may refuse new care packages, leaving many without access to essential support. 22% are planning to close, disrupting lives and communities. 92% will raise rates for self-funding clients, pushing some to reduce care or rely on stretched family carers. Having worked alongside care providers for many years, I know how dedicated they are. But passion and hard work cannot bridge funding gaps. If providers close, the strain on the NHS will increase, leading to more hospital admissions and delayed discharges. Smaller, rural providers are particularly vulnerable. I’ve seen organisations battling long travel distances, rising fuel costs, and limited resources. For many, these latest financial pressures may be the tipping point. In a recent conversation, one provider expressed frustration over the unsustainable rates offered by local authorities - made worse by the rises being brought in by the government. Providers understand the funding challenges local authorities face, but they are committed to paying carers and support workers fairly and keeping their businesses sustainable. However, we are nearing a critical point, and something must give - and it may 'give' by imploding. The CPA is right to demand action. Exempting providers from National Insurance increases and fully funding National Living Wage rises are essential first steps. But short-term fixes are not enough. The government must commit to a long-term funding plan to stabilise the sector. The amount coming into social care is frankly pitiful. Social care is a lifeline, not just a service. It is undervalued at government level , and the CPA’s report should be a wake-up call. I hope the government listens and takes the necessary steps to secure the future of social care - for the providers, staff, and the vulnerable people who rely on it every day.

Support for change 💕 Time For A National Care Service? As a passionate and dedicated health and social care professional, I am deeply committed to enhancing the lives of our aging population. The recent article "A better old age? Improving health and care outcomes for the over-65s in the UK" by Camilla Cavendish, Gabriel Moberg, and Jessica Freedman, offers critical insights and recommendations that resonate with my vision for the future of care in the UK. Here are five key points that I believe are essential for advancing the quality of care for older adults: 1. **Integrated Care Systems**: Effective care coordination across health and social care sectors is crucial. By fostering better communication and collaboration, we can deliver more comprehensive and effective care for our elderly. 2. **Prevention and Early Intervention**: Emphasizing preventive measures and early interventions can help maintain health and well-being, reduce the incidence of chronic conditions, and alleviate the strain on acute care services. 3. **Personalised Care Plans**: Developing personalised care plans in consultation with patients and their families ensures that care is tailored to their unique needs and preferences, ultimately enhancing their quality of life. 4. **Support for Caregivers**: Acknowledging and supporting the invaluable role of informal caregivers through financial assistance, respite care, training, and resources is vital for their well-being and effectiveness. 5. **Technology and Innovation**: Leveraging technology and innovative solutions, such as telehealth, remote monitoring, and assistive devices, can make healthcare more accessible, efficient, and personalised for older adults. I am eager to be a part of this transformative journey, contributing to a future where our national care service embodies these principles. By working together and embracing these changes, we can ensure that our aging population receives the compassionate, comprehensive, and personalised care they deserve. Let’s champion these initiatives and strive for a better old age for everyone. #Healthcare #IntegratedCare #InnovationInHealth #CaregiverSupport #PreventiveCare

More pressure on the Government to provide an exemption to national insurance rises for the social care sector: Nuffield Trust warns that 'if the Gov fails to take urgent action to stabilise the sector now, there may be little left of it to reform'. The impact of this will fall heavily on people relying on care and their family carers. Already struggling against a care system in crisis, we fear how much worse it can get. https://lnkd.in/e5vWj-q6