Dimensions responds to Autumn Budget 2017

Today’s budget [22 November 2017] has proved a missed opportunity to grasp the nettle and provide much needed funding to social care.

In his speech, the Chancellor made no mention of the pressure the sector is under, or plans to ensure that people with disabilities receive good and adequately funded care.

Of course we welcome the increase in the National Living Wage that will give a better deal to a significant number of the 1.45 million social care workforce, but rising wage bills and growing demand for social care across the country mean funding for the sector is at crisis point, with the Local Government Association estimating a £2.3 billion funding gap by 2020. Another NMW increase in April 2018 will put even greater stress on the social care sector.

We are pleased to see the increase of funding for housing and the NHS, but social care is central to how we support people to have healthy lives in their communities and reduce pressure on the NHS.

Now, with social care for people with disabilities outside the remit of the forthcoming green paper, there is a real chance that social care of people with learning disabilities and autism will not be looked at until at least the next autumn budget.

Dimensions CEO, Steve Scown, said: “The Budget was a chance to give much needed reassurance to people with disabilities and their families that they will not be left behind in policy and funding decisions and to reassure the sector that the government is listening to their concerns. Yet again it looks as though the government doesn’t care about social care.”

At Dimensions, we have set out our vision for social care for people with learning disabilities and autism. Social care is about more than people’s basic needs, it supports people to have great lives, reach goals and contribute to their communities. This only possible when enough funding is there and people are given agency over their care.

Dimensions will not be silent on the issue of social care and will continue to put forward our vision.

Notes to the editor

For more information, interviews, and case studies contact Hannah McCreesh, Communications and PR Officer at Dimensions, on (e) Hannah.mccreesh@dimensions-uk.org (t) 0300 303 9062.

Dimensions provides evidence-based, outcomes-focused support for people with learning disabilities, autism and complex needs. We help people be actively involved in their communities.

We are one of the largest not-for-profit support providers in the UK. We currently support around 3,500 people and their families throughout England and Wales with help from our 7,000 members of staff.

We have been providing support packages for families for 40 years. We offer a range of support services to adults of all ages, including those with complex needs or challenging behaviour.

We are proud to be a not-for-profit organisation, not here for commercial gain. This means we’re able to invest all our efforts and resources into the important things – which is helping the people we support lead happy and fulfilled lives.