Recommendation 4

We believe the starting point must be an increase in annual funding of £3.9 bn by 2023–24 to meet demographic changes and planned increases in the National Living Wage. However such an increase alone will not address shortfalls in the quality of care currently provided, reverse the decline in access or stop the market retreating to providing only for self-payers. Further funding to address these issues is therefore also required as a matter of urgency.