Campaigners have called on Jeremy Hunt to make the case for a ‘new settlement for health and social care’.

The health secretary keeping his job surprised many yesterday after rumours had circulated that he would be sacked.

Chief executive of The King’s Fund, Chris Ham, said: ‘The secretary of state will need to provide exceptional political leadership by supporting radical changes to NHS services, and make the case for a new settlement for health and social care that provides adequate funding to meet current and future needs.’

The chief executive of older people’s charity, Independent Age, Janet Morrison, also called on Mr Hunt to tackle the ‘growing crisis in the Cinderella service of social care’.

‘Now is the time for the secretary of state to be bold and consider long-lasting, cross-party solutions to creating a health and care system that will properly support our ageing population,’ said Ms Morrison.

Mr Hunt’s re-appointment follows the publication of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services’ (ADASS) annual budget survey, which revealed fresh concerns.

More than one in three (36%) of officers surveyed felt they could meet their responsibilities this year, with confidence plummeting to just 8% for 2017/18.

Almost all (94%) directors were pessimistic about making the necessary savings next year.

Jamie Hailstone

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