The Carer’s Post

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:

‘No More Cuts To Social Care,’ Plea CAMPAIGERS have sent an impassioned plea to the Chancellor not to impose any further financial hardship on the care of older, vulnerable and disabled adults.The care provider body, The Independent Care Group (ICG), has sent an open letter to Rachel Reeves urging her to support rather than harm social care when she presents her Autumn Statement. Their plea comes amidst fears that the Government will not boost funding to local authorities for care but will increase employer National Insurance contributions, both of which would hit social care hard. “It isn’t too late,” said ICG Chair Mike Padgham. “The Chancellor must pull away from measures that will harm the care of the most vulnerable and support the social care sector instead. “The number of people living without the care they need has topped 2m for the first time but if the Chancellor doesn’t support us at the end of the month, things will get even worse.” In his letter to the Chancellor, Mr Padgham says the Government needs to increase rather than decrease the funding it gives to commissioners like local authorities to buy care from providers. And he warns that an increase in National Insurance would hit social care providers and be at odds with the Government’s desire to see more people looked after in their own home. He also argues that the Government must support social care if it is to succeed in its proposals to reform and improve the NHS. In the letter he says: “In particular, an increase in National Insurance payments for employers would hit social care providers particularly hard. Two thirds of our costs are on staffing and the sector is already under-staffed and struggling to recruit, with 131,000 vacancies in the sector. Adding another cost to employers would bring further pressure and might put some providers out of business. It would also be at odds with the Government’s desire to have more people looked after in their own homes. An increase in National Insurance would be particularly harsh on domiciliary care, which is very staff intensive.” And he adds: “We cannot start to ease hospital waiting lists and empty hospital beds if there is no social care to look after people in the community. We have to tackle the 2m people who currently cannot get care and the 131,000 vacancies in the sector, not to mention the lengthening list of care home closures.” Mr Padgham says there are sound economic as well as social and moral arguments for supporting social care. He adds in the letter: “The latest Skills for Care report revealed that social care now contributes £68.1bn to the England economy and employs 1.7m. That is a significant contribution, but it could contribute and employ considerably more if resources were switched from the NHS to support the sector. Skills for Care says an extra £6.1bn invested in social care would provide economic benefits of £10.7bn – for every £1 invested, a return of £1.75. Moving money from the NHS into social…

📢 Care Providers Back Councils’ Call Over NIC Rise 📢 It’s encouraging to see councils and care providers uniting in their call to the government to address the devastating impact of the National Insurance Contribution (NIC) rise. This article highlights the urgent need for action to protect social care services from financial collapse. Care providers, councils, and other vital services are all saying the same thing: this increase will have a catastrophic effect on our ability to deliver care, retain staff, and support those who depend on us the most. We cannot ignore the ripple effect this will have on vulnerable people, care staff, and already stretched healthcare systems. Sign the petition to support this movement: https://lnkd.in/eT87aeen Let’s keep the pressure on and ensure our voices are heard! Together, we can fight for a fairer future for the care sector. #SaveSocialCare #ProvidersUnite #SocialCareCrisis #NICRise #CareSector

Social Care ‘Endangered’ By ‘Catastrophic’ National Insurance Increases, Warns ADASS President The Government’s Budget decision to increase employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs) will have “catastrophic consequences for millions of people drawing on care and support” will warn Melanie Williams, President of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS). Opening the National Children and Adult Services Conference in Liverpool on Wednesday 27th November, Ms Williams will say the decision will place adult social care under “even greater financial pressure, which will be insurmountable for some care providers, who people rely on for everyday basic needs like washing and dressing.” It’s likely some Councils will have to consider further rationing care and support, focusing on those people with the greatest needs. People waiting for care are likely to face further delays, risking their health deteriorating further and those paying for their own care may be forced to cut back on support due to increasing costs, making their lives more difficult. Some care providers say they will stop providing care in certain areas or stop operating completely because it’s no longer cost effective, reducing care available for people. Adding her voice to growing calls for an exemption for social care providers to the NICs increase, Mel Williams will argue that despite £600mn additional funding being announced in the Budget for adult social care, this won’t cover the significantly higher operating costs that care providers will now face as a result of increases in both NICs and the National Living Wage which in turn will impact on the fees councils pay to care providers, which ADASS can today reveal could cost up to £1.8bn. While councils’ direct employees and the NHS will be exempt from the increases, social care providers including voluntary, community, faith and social enterprises which provide the vast majority of care they commission, will not. These costs will be passed on to councils which will force them to continue to overspend on adult social care budgets. Even before the budget, 81% of councils overspent on adult social care by half a billion pounds last year – and this is now set to increase. ADASS is calling on the Government to counter the impact of the NI employer increases on the social care sector. Options being discussed within the sector include delaying the implementation of the increases, lowering the rates, exempting providers or paying councils compensation. Mel Williams will say: “We cannot vision for a tomorrow when the cost of today has become so insurmountable. The budget had catastrophic impacts on the cost of Adult Social Care. Not just for Local Government, but also for out important partners who support people in their neighbourhoods and in our voluntary and community sector.” ADASS members have been reporting concerns with the NICs increase, namely that the social care providers they work with are worried…

WASHINGTON (AP) — The go-broke dates for Medicare and Social Security have been pushed back as an improving economy has contributed to changed projected depletion dates, according to the annual Social Security and Medicare trustees report Monday. Still, officials warn that policy changes are needed lest the programs become unable to pay full benefits to retiring Americans. Medicare’s go-broke date for its hospital insurance trust fund was pushed back five years to 2036 in the latest report, thanks in part to higher payroll tax income and lower-than-projected expenses from last year. Medicare is the federal government’s health insurance program that covers people age 65 and older and those with severe disabilities or illnesses. It covered more than 66 million people last year, with most being 65 and older. Once the fund’s reserves become depleted, Medicare would be able to cover only 89% of costs for patients’ hospital visits, hospice care and nursing home stays or home health care that follow hospital visits. https://lnkd.in/d6cB8n74

Employer national insurance hike could close many social care providers, new analysis reveals Many social care providers, especially small ones, are now at risk of going bust, disrupting or ending vital care for thousands of older and disabled people. https://lnkd.in/eWizJmHF

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.

The Prime Minister’s NHS waiting list pledge will fail if care and support services fail. In Keir Starmer's Pinewood Studios speech yesterday, he pledged to reduce NHS waiting lists but ignored social care. The NHS depends on a functioning social care system. Difficulties in accessing care and support lead to an increase in unplanned hospital admissions and delays in discharge. This results in longer waiting times for NHS treatment. Given this, the Labour government's neglect of social care is baffling; indeed, it is actively dismantling it. The Autumn Budget has left homecare providers facing a 9-12% increase in costs. Unlike other business sectors, most care providers cannot pass on extra costs to customers. This is because councils and NHS bodies purchase 79% of homecare and 96% of supported living services, and fix the prices. Councils are short of money and cannot increase fee rates for services enough to cover the rising costs, say the Local Government Association and Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS). Fee rates are already too low. Homecare Association research shows only 1% of councils and NHS bodies are paying a Minimum Price for Homecare. This is our calculation of the minimum needed to ensure careworkers are paid at least the minimum wage for all working time; providers can meet all care regulations; and homecare services are sustainable. Care and support providers are now staring into a financial abyss. Survival requires drastic measures for many. These include not taking local authority or NHS work; handing back contracts; making staff redundant; or ceasing to trade. Without urgent government action, we risk widespread failure of many providers, particularly those serving the state-funded market. This would have severe consequences: • Reduced access to essential care and support services for people in need • Increased burden on families and unpaid carers • Greater pressure on NHS services; including more hospital admissions, more delayed hospital discharges and longer NHS waiting lists Decline in availability and quality of care and support services will make the government’s aspirations for the NHS very hard to achieve. We call on the government to: 1. Invest at least £2.8 billion in the care sector to mitigate these risks. Evidence shows that every £1 invested saves £3 in longer-term costs across the health and care system. 2. Exempt care providers from changes to employer's national insurance contributions. 3. Ensure a multi-year funding settlement for social care to meet future demand and cover the full cost of care (estimated £18.4 billion needed by 2032/33) 4. Implement a National Contract for Care service that sets a minimum price for care services. This will ensure public sector commissioners pay the full cost of quality care. NHS England #NHS #hospital #waitinglists #delayeddischarges #homecare #socialcare #provider #insolvency #localauthority

In an era where the value of social safety nets is often debated, one thing remains crystal clear: Social Security and Medicare are not mere handouts or entitlements. They are pillars of societal support, designed to ensure dignity, security, and stability for our aging population. It's time to dispel misconceptions and vigorously defend the expansion of these vital programs. First and foremost, let's address the misnomer of entitlements. Social Security is not a giveaway; it's an annuity earned through years of hard work and contributions. Similarly, Medicare operates as an insurance plan, providing essential healthcare coverage for seniors who have paid into the system throughout their working lives. These programs are not gifts from the government; they are earned benefits that Americans rightfully deserve. Moreover, it's crucial to recognize the fundamental principle of insurance: risk pooling. Just like any insurance plan, Social Security and Medicare rely on the contributions of many to support the needs of the few. Some individuals may pay more into the system than they receive in benefits, while others may require more assistance than they contribute. This is the essence of solidarity and mutual support, ensuring that no one is left behind in times of need. Contrary to the rhetoric espoused by some, the push to cut or dismantle these programs is not only shortsighted but also morally bankrupt. Allowing our elderly population to struggle with inadequate support goes against the values of compassion and decency that define us as a society. It's not just about dollars and cents; it's about human dignity and respect for our elders. Furthermore, let's look beyond our borders and learn from other civilized societies. Nations around the world recognize the importance of caring for their older citizens, understanding that a society's greatness is measured by how it treats its most vulnerable members. It's time for the United States to follow suit and prioritize the well-being of our seniors. Now, more than ever, there is a concerted effort to undermine Social Security and Medicare under the guise of fiscal responsibility. But we must see through the thinly veiled attempts to strip away these crucial lifelines. Instead of retreating, we must advance. We must demand not only the preservation but the expansion of these programs to meet the evolving needs of our aging population. There is strength in our numbers, and together, we have the power to shape the future we want to see. Let us stand united in defense of Social Security and Medicare, advocating for increased benefits that reflect the dignity and worth of every American senior. It's not just a matter of policy; it's a matter of principle. And on this, there can be no compromise.

CPA Report a “Stark Warning” says Anchor Chief Rob Martin, managing director of Care Services for Anchor, England’s largest not-for-profit provider of care and housing for people in later life has shared his deep concern following the release of the Care Providers Alliance Report earlier this week. The comprehensive survey of over 1,180 care and support providers revealed the social care sector faces potential collapse due to the combined impact of National Insurance changes and National Living Wage increases announced in the recent Budget. Mr martin said: “The findings of the Care Providers Alliance report are a stark warning to Government that the planned increase in National Insurance contributions will have a hugely detrimental impact on the vulnerable people served by the social care sector. “While we appreciate the government’s intention to raise funds for the National Health Service and social care, it risks impacting the very people it aims to protect. “This increase in National Insurance contributions will place an additional financial burden on social care providers, already under pressure due to rising costs, staff shortages, and increasing demand for services and even more so on smaller organisations which make up almost 90% of social care providers. “The change in the National Insurance threshold will also disproportionately impact organizations paying the real living wage as the threshold adjustment makes a larger portion of salaries subject to National Insurance contributions. “At a time when delays in the number of people discharging from hospital has increased by 43%*, this latest announcement will add further pressures to the NHS. “As a large not-for-profit national care provider, we will work to ensure the impact of these additional costs are not felt by society's most vulnerable and will remain committed to paying real living wage to our valued colleagues. “We urge Government to review its position and exempt care providers from the changes in employers’ National Insurance contributions and create a sustainable long-term funding settlement for social care.” *June 2023 versus June 2024 discharges reported. Read More: