SoS - Save our System

ON 7 September 2021, the Government set out its new plan for adult social care reform in England, Build Back Better. This includes a lifetime cap on the amount anyone in England will need to spend on their personal care, alongside a more generous means test for local authority financial support.

These proposals are funded by the new Health and Care Levy, of which ₤5.4bn is being invested into adult social care over the next 3 years. Care England has made clear that the ₤5.4bn will not be enough to achieve the ambitions set out by the Government. Whilst the NHS will see the tangible benefits resulting from the Levy from the ₤36bn due to be raised over the next 3 years, adult social care will only receive ₤5.4bn.

Of the ₤5.4bn, ₤1.7bn is provisioned for Wider System Reform, leaving ₤3.6bn confirmed at the Spending Review 2021 to implement Charging Reform. Of the ₤3.6bn, to ensure that local authorities are able to move towards paying a fair cost of care, the Government is provisioning only ₤162m which will be allocated in 2022 to 2023 to support local authorities as they prepare their markets for reform, of which up to 25% can be retained by local authorities to cover operational costs. A further ₤600m will be made available in both 2023 to 2024 and 2024 to 2025. Care England holds that the current funding envelope is grossly insufficient to enable the successful implementation of Section 18(3) of the Care Act and will see care homes and home care providers unable to sustain their businesses without additional funding.

Care England, the largest and most diverse representative body of independent adult social care providers, has made representations to the Chancellor ahead of the Spring Budget on 23 March 2022.

Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England, says:- "We are at a pivotal point in determining the future sustainability of the adult social care sector. Concerningly, the Government's plan for adult social care reform is largely unfunded. The funds that have been allocated to the sector represent a mere drop in the ocean in terms of what is required to aid the Government's ambitions of tackling long term issues such as fair funding, workforce pay, long term investment and innovation. The reforms are ultimately aimed at improving and maintaining the quality of life of some of the most vulnerable members of society. This can only be achieved through ensuring independent sector provider sustainability. Care England remains committed to helping the Government establish a long-term and sustainable future that will be to the benefit of all citizens and the economy. We would urge the Treasury to take account of these immediate concerns given the pressing nature of the reform implementation. These reforms will define the sector's future. It is vital to ensure that these significant sums actually get to the front line where care is provided and are not simply absorbed by the wider NHS and adult social care system."

Liverpool running club running 200k over the 40 days of Lent raising money to tackle the global hunger crisis

LIVERPOOL locals Patrick Gaul and Simon Holleron from the Liverpool Irish Rovers running club are running or walking 5km every day for the 40 days of Lent as part of CAFOD's Walk Against Hunger challenge. The challenge raises money to tackle global hunger. Patrick and Simon have a combined fundraising goal of ₤500.

Patrick and Simon from the Liverpool Irish Rovers will be running in the City's parks, particularly Sefton and Calderstones. To celebrate St Patrick's Day (17 March 2022) the running club will be wearing green and "taking over" the Park Run at Croxteth and Prince's Parks, on Saturday, 19 March 2022. The running club has a track record of fundraising for CAFOD; members recently taking part in the Christmas fun run.

Patrick will be walking some of the challenge with his grandson, also called Patrick, and his dog Dudley, he says:- "Hunger in this day and age is as baffling as it is obscene and unjust. The world's resources are divided more and more unfairly. The exploitation of the poor and the needy by the rich and powerful gets worse. Everyone should have the basic right to enough food to eat and a decent place to live. There's food poverty in our own City, which is why it's important to support the food banks."

Supporters like Patrick are raising money so that CAFOD can continue it's vital work helping communities around the world gain better access to food in the long-term through initiatives such as training in farming methods, and savings and loans schemes which can help families and individuals to start small businesses.

Simon is also CAFOD's Community Participation Coordinator for Salford, he says:- "It's great to be doing the Walk against Hunger challenge with the support of the Liverpool Irish Rovers running club. The encouragement and camaraderie of the group motivates me to get out of bed and join the park runs. Working at CAFOD has given me an insight into the issue of global hunger. There's enough food in the world to feed everyone, so it's completely unacceptable that people are going hungry. This is why I'm Walking against Hunger"

Neil Roper Events Coordinator says:- "The generosity of the people of Merseyside is inspiring. It's fantastic that 2 people from the Liverpool Irish Rovers running club are taking part in Walk against Hunger. Patrick and Simon will be running as part of the challenge, but many of our supporters are walking the 5k steps a day. People can sign up as individuals or, as a community, School or parish. There are lots of ways to get involved. It's a fantastic way for people to get together, improve their fitness and raise money to tackle global hunger"