The Government needs to do more to address local government’s three ‘Horsemen of the Apocalypse’ – adult social care, special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and housing.
Speaking at the LGA’s annual conference in Liverpool, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Housing, Communities and Local Government Cllr Vikki Slade said June’s Spending Review made “very little reference” to the “existential crisis” in adult social care, while the delayed Casey Review is just the latest in 25 inquiries and commissions that have yet to make a difference.
Citing Liberal Democrat research showing that nearly 500,000 more people will require care by 2026, she added: “Council tax cannot plug that gap.”
She drew on her own experiences as the parent of a child with SEND to highlight how the system is failing, and called for the Government’s forthcoming white paper to guarantee every child gets the support they need and ensure mainstream schools become fully inclusive.
On housing, Ms Slade highlighted a select committee report that found temporary accommodation is “harming our children’s health, development and future” – and was a factor in the deaths of 74 children.
She was also critical of government plans to abolish the council committee system, calling it “centralisation by stealth”.
“If the Government is serious about devolution, it must trust local leaders, not strip them of their powers,” she added. “It is councils, not Westminster, that get things done.”