The Government has written to councils setting out its three priorities for adult social care for local authorities, alongside its ambition to establish a national care service.
An additional £4.6 billion is being made available for adult social care in 2028/29, compared with 2025/26, but the LGA has warned the sector is “desperate” for sustainable investment.
The Government wants people who draw on care and support to: access high-quality care provided by a skilled workforce; have independence, choice and control over their support; and experience joined-up neighbourhood health and social care services.
Cllr Dr Wendy Taylor MBE, Chair of the LGA’s Health and Wellbeing Committee, said: “We are supportive of the Government’s focus on bringing together the elements of social care reform and improvement into one set of priorities, and its recognition of the importance of the Fair Funding Review 2.0 to enable this.
“While we are pleased the Government is making available an additional £4.6 billion, our adult social care sector is in desperate need of sustainable investment.
“The principle of devolved and flexible funding allows local council services to be tailored to the needs of local people.
“We are ready to work with the Government to ensure the national plans for health, the NHS and adult social care are aligned, so that people can get the right support, when they need it and into the future.”