As ever with previous government announcements, the Autumn Statement from the Chancellor was more about what wasn’t in there as much as what was.
For example, there was a deafening silence over social care funding. The system continues to be massively underfunded. Our elderly and vulnerable residents deserve so much better than this.
Social care funding matters in its own right, but also an underfunded care system just puts more pressure on the NHS.
There was some helpful news, and I was pleased that the Local Housing Allowance will rise to 30 per cent of local market rents.
I am proud to have campaigned on this issue alongside Liberal Democrat councillors and other colleagues at the LGA.
“There was a deafening silence over social care funding: the system continues to be massively underfunded”
But this is still a drop in the ocean of what’s needed across the country and beyond to address housing costs.
As we approach the festive season, it is a real tragedy to see record numbers of households in temporary accommodation, meaning a serious financial challenge for many councils. We will continue to highlight this problem.
Another key area of concern was over pre-school and early years services. Providers will tell you how upset they were that there was no extra money for the childcare sector; many are concerned that they could go out of business.
I will continue to work with colleagues from the other political groups at the LGA to raise awareness of the real threat to so many local services.