Chancellor Rishi Sunak's Spending Review must give £1.4 billion for home care says UKHCA

Chancellor Rishi Sunak is being called upon to deliver £1.4 billion for home care alone in his Spending Review, to recognise the ‘vital role’ home care services have played to help people remain at home safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.

With over 1 million care and support visits to people in their own homes across England each day, the United Kingdom Homecare Association (UKHCA), estimates the funding gap the Chancellor needs to close for the coming financial year requires him to announce an extra £1.4 billion in his Spending Review on 25 November.

This is in addition to funding for any increase the Chancellor may also make to the National Minimum Wage and extra costs created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The UKHCA is a professional association for more than 2,150 domiciliary care providers in Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The chief executive of the UKHCA, Dr Jane Townson, said: “All of us want to live well at home and flourish within our communities. Supporting people at home benefits individuals as well as their wider community of family, friends and neighbours and reduces cost and demand for the NHS.

“UKHCA’s research on the way that councils and the NHS purchase home care has exposed gross inequalities across the country. Typically, areas with the highest deprivation invest the lowest amounts in supporting people to stay well at home. If this government is serious about “levelling up”, the chancellor must invest in home care.

“Health and wealth are interdependent and home care services are thus a vital part of the foundation economy, as well as providing 715,000 jobs.”

Over 65s home care poll

A YouGov poll (commissioned on behalf of the UKHCA) has revealed 92 per cent of the 2,058 people aged 65+ surveyed agreed with the statement that: ‘People would prefer to be supported at home, rather than in a care home’.

Conducted between 8-14 September, the poll result was a view also held by 87 per cent of the 100 MPs questioned from all parties between 8-23 September.

As well as highlighting the poll, Dr Townson said a ‘much promised’ review of the social care system and its funding must address the needs of the 1.5 million older people Age UK estimated to be living with unmet needs in England.

On the day the Chancellor announces his Spending Review, the #VirtualCareFestival gets underway and Dr Townson will be one of its keynote speakers. The Virtual Care Festival runs from 25-26 November.

To find out how to book your free pass at the Virtual Care Festival click here