Responding to the announcement today of new funding for English councils, Dr Rhidian Hughes, Chief Executive of the Voluntary Organisations Disability Group (VODG) says:
‘Today’s announcement of further money for councils frustratingly marks another short-term fix, which offers little guarantee to those in receipt of social care or the charities delivering support.
‘While the funding is welcome, it must reach frontline support. The LGA estimates councils in England face a £4 billion funding gap over the next two years just to keep essential services standing still. As a consequence, charities are left in an impossible situation; committed to delivering services but where operating costs outstrip commissioned fee rates.
‘Disabled people deserve better than the short-term approach The Treasury continues to take. Without a long-term plan of investment that genuinely meets current levels of need and allows for future planning, the most vulnerable in our communities will see services cut, the impact of which will be felt by everyone.’
Notes
- For more information and spokespeople please contact Sarah Woodhouse, Head of Policy and Influencing, VODG by emailing [email protected]
- The Voluntary Organisations Disability Group (VODG) is the membership body representing over 145 voluntary sector organisations who support and work alongside disabled people. The combined turnover of our member organisations is £2.8 billion, employing 85,000 staff who support more than one million disabled people.
- The statement from the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities: https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2024-01-24/hcws206
- The LGA survey can be found here: https://www.local.gov.uk/about/news/section-114-fear-almost-1-5-council-leaders-and-chief-executives-after-cashless-autumn