27th November 2025
Responding to today’s (26 November 2025) Budget announcement, Rachael Dodgson, Chief Executive of Dimensions, said:
“Today’s Budget says nothing about adult social care.
The government has effectively abdicated its responsibility for reforming adult social care in this parliament. Instead, the government is waiting for the Casey Commission to release its findings, with the final report not due until 2028.
Yet adults with learning disabilities and autistic people who draw on support cannot wait that long. Neither can the 1.5 million people working in social care.
The government’s September announcement of £500 million for the Fair Pay Agreement for social care – which like the Casey Commission, won’t be implemented before 2028 – is nowhere near enough.
This Budget both could and should have ring-fenced money to invest in the social care workforce in advance of the first Fair Pay Agreement for social care in 2028.
“We need faster action and appropriate funding – and recognition for the social care workforce to support recruitment, retention, and consistent, high-quality support for those who rely on it. The time to act is now.”