Councils urge government to delay social care reforms

The government has been urged by county councils to delay planned social care reforms.

The councils have warned of serious staffing and financial pressures on services.

The planned changes are due to come into effect in October next year and are designed to help people cover their personal care costs.

The changes include an £86,000 lifetime cap on care costs and a more generous means-test.

However, councils have warned that adult care services could deteriorate unless the reforms are delayed.

Speaking to the BBC, Councillor Martin Tett, the adult social care spokesman from the County Councils Network, said: "Loading these reforms onto a system that is already in crisis could worsen care services by the time these reforms to 'fix' social care are introduced."

Councils claim that they are facing additional financial pressures, with inflation set to add £3.7 billion to their costs next year.

A report from the County Councils network says "if government doesn't provide any more funding to offset these costs", then councils will have to reduce the care services available, or charge more for them."

Councillor Tett said councils "remain committed to supporting these reforms but it is imperative they have the time to mitigate the pressures they will create, recruit a sufficient number of staff, and stabilise services in the short term".

"If not, these reforms could be unworkable at inception."