Funding for adult social care is currently inadequate, says Cllr Robin Brown.

According to the councillor, the current arrangement means it is difficult to cope with the increased number of people needing care and individuals risk 'facing increased care costs unless action is taken'.

Speaking during the boroughs celebration of 70 years of social care, the council's finance cabinet member has urged to 'fight to for a fairer funding deal'. He has written to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock MP regarding the insecure and uncertain future regarding social care funding.

This week, Richmond Council has highlighted 30 case studies showcasing the vital role of social workers, occupational therapists, care providers, the volunteer sector, as well as the estimated 15,000 unpaid family carers in Richmond and Twickenham.

The Council is committed to providing a first-class support service for the borough’s most vulnerable residents, helping people remain independent in their own homes. However, as the number of older people is increasing, the amount of funding available from the Government to provide adequate support is declining.

Cllr Brown, said: “As we mark 70 years of social care in the UK, this is a good time to thank those people working tirelessly as volunteers, nurses and doctors in our care homes and day centres across the borough to provide the best possible care to those who need it most.

“However, it is also important to reflect on what can only be described as an uncertain future. By 2020 we will see an 6.5% increase of residents over 65 years old. By 2035 – the number of older people will have doubled. At the same time, the number of adults with a learning disability requiring care is also increasing.

“These numbers are not unique to Richmond. However, whilst the Government have allowed some extra funding to be raised locally through the social care precept and provided limited support through the Better Care Fund, they do not seem to acknowledge that this barely covers the increasing costs of dealing with a stable population and that more funding is required to cope with the increased number of residents in need of care services.

“We know that we need to be more efficient in the way that we work. But, the amount of money we need to save goes beyond reasonable efficiencies. I have asked the Government Minister to be clear on his plan. It is easy – more money is needed or cuts to services will be inevitable.”