Councils in Warwickshire and Surrey are planning massive cuts to spending on social care for people with learning difficulties. The move comes as they grapple with austerity.
Warwickshire could slash funds for adult social care by £14 million over three years. Meanwhile, Surrey Council has seen tens of millions of pounds “wiped clean off” its books.
Council leader Izzi Seccombe: insists that Warwickshire has tried to protect social care
In Warwickshire, reports suggest the plans would see a further £398,000 of cuts to disability services. These cuts would see 45 staff working in social care losing their jobs. Respite care is said to be under threat.
Warwickshire cuts ‘horrific’
Adrian Edgington, a member of campaign group Save WEST, said the impact of the cuts would be “horrific”.
Save WEST was set up to protect the Warwickshire Employment Support Team (WEST). The group helps around 150 people with disabilities gain paid work.
Mr Edgington, 62, said the immediate threat to WEST had lifted after Warwickshire backed away from plans to cut its funding.
He said: “In WEST’s situation it would have left 150 adults with learning disabilities with no work.”
‘Domino effect’
Mr Edgington warned that there would have been a ‘domino effect’ on mental health, housing and social work teams if WEST had closed down.
Warwickshire County Council leader Izzi Seccombe insists the Tory-run authority has tried to protect social care.
She said: “We are taking the 1.99 per cent council tax increase that we are allowed and we are also taking the 2 per cent adult social care precept increase.”
Warwickshire will determine the exact level of its cuts in February.
Meanwhile, Surrey Council leader David Hodge has warned his authority has lost “tens of millions” to support people with learning disabilities.
The Conservative leader said learning disability funding had been cut by more than £45 million. The authority faces a £24 million funding crisis in adult social care next year and a £24 million funding gap for special needs by 2020.
Published: 11 January 2017
