Recommendation 1

HM Government Acknowledged

Details of the level of funding provided to the social care system during the COVID-19 pandemic and at the 2020 Spending Review can be found in the section; Preface: Adult Social Care Funding. 4.1 As outlined in the Preface, as part of the 2020 Spending Review, the Chancellor announced that local authorities will be given access to over £1 billion of additional funding for social care in FY 21/22. In addition, we expect to provide councils with over £3 billion of additional support to help manage the impact of COVID-19 in FY 21/22 across their services. This includes funding which local authorities can utilise to tackle some of the impacts COVID-19 is having on the cost of providing care such as covering increasing insurance premiums or compensating for the lost income from temporary reductions in occupancy. The Government will keep the need for further funding under review. 4.2 However, as in any care market, there are entries and exits of care providers. Local authorities are best placed to understand and plan for the care needs of their populations, and to develop and build local market capacity. That is why, under the Care Act 2014, local authorities are required to shape their local markets, and ensure that people have a range of high-quality, sustainable and person-centred care and support options available to them. In addition, as set out in statutory guidance, Local Authorities should work with care providers to determine a fair rate of pay based on local market conditions.