Post Spring Budget 2024: Comments from MHA Chief Executive

As expected, the Chancellor has failed to address the current crisis facing the social care sector during the Spring Budget.

Our ask is that, ahead of the next General Election, all political parties present a credible, sustainable plan that resolves the current gap between government funding and the cost of providing care. After decades of successive governments dodging this question, there are now nearly half a million people waiting just for a social care assessment. This cannot continue.

We also need to see a long-term strategy that tackles the estimated 152,000 staff vacancies in the sector and makes social care a stronger career choice for young people. This is why we’ve been calling on Government to commit to the creation of a Social Care Council, which would value the sector and act as an independent body examining issues such as pay scales, working hours and recruitment on an ongoing basis.

Solving current issues will require significant investment and any funding needs to be introduced in an affordable and manageable way. At the very least, we expect all political parties to understand and listen to the sector’s needs – and show their commitment to tackle challenges head on.