Responding to the first part of the annual Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) budget survey, which focuses on the COVID-19 response, Councillor Howard Sykes, LGA Liberal Democrat Group Leader, said:

“Social care and its 1.6 million-strong workforce have risen to the unprecedented challenges caused by coronavirus and this report rightly recognises their contribution.

“Through their incredible efforts, they have helped keep those who use these services safe and well during this extraordinary crisis.

“It is encouraging to see that prior to the outbreak, there were fewer care providers handing back contracts or closing, compared to the same period last year. But since the pandemic, extra costs due to PPE and staffing have clearly had a serious impact.

“Councils are doing all they can to support care providers in their areas but pressures clearly remain, with our own commissioned research suggesting that providers face extra costs of £6.6 billion by the end of September this year.

“As this report highlights, the pandemic has increased the level of unmet need which was already building up before coronavirus emerged. This will need to be tackled both in the immediate and long-term future, to make sure people are able to live the life they want to lead.

“This report’s findings make for essential learning now, but also as we look ahead to winter when demand for care and support is expected to rise again”.

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