Impact of funding cuts on social care provision

A new report published by the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) reveals the extent of cuts to social care provision. Councils across the UK have had their funding reduced by the government each year since 2010, leading to extensive cuts to social care.

The IFS report highlights:

• Social care spending per resident fell on average by 11% from 2009 to 2016;
• Six out of seven councils have made cuts to their social care provision; and
• One in ten councils had cut their social care budget by more than 25%.

The report finds significant regional variation with the biggest cuts falling in London, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Tyneside.

The IFS research shows the number of people receiving social care reduced by 25% from 2010 to 2014 despite an increasingly aging population. The report calls for further research to be undertaken to analyse the effects on the standards of care provided, the welfare of those no longer entitled to care and the impact on the NHS.

The Institute of Fiscal Studies: Report (R128) National standards, local risks: the geography of local authority funded social care, 2009–10 to 2015–16, available at:

https://www.ifs.org.uk/publications/9122