From rxpgnews.com
Ten per cent rise in money spent on social care services
By The Information Centre,
Feb 9, 2007 - 5:40:16 AM
Spending on public sector social care services has risen by ten per cent over the past two years, according to figures released today by The Information Centre for health and social care.
Councils spent £19.3 billion on social care services for adults and children during 2005-06, compared with £17.7 billion in real terms in 2003-04.
There has been a continued rise in social care expenditure over the last ten years, up from £10.8 billion in 1995-96. The past twelve months saw a four per cent rise in expenditure, with £18.6 billion being spent in 2004-05.
ending on services for adults and older people has risen by five per cent over the past year. Services for adults and older people comprised 74 per cent of the total social care expenditure (£14.2 billion) during 2005-06.
This rise in the level of expenditure reflects the increasing number of adults and older people receiving services 1.7 million were given care in the last year, a rise of two per cent.
Chief Executive of The Information Centre, Denise Lievesley said, "The rise in social care expenditure reflects continuing growth in investment and provision of a wider range of services, including residential and nursing care, assistive equipment that helps a client live at home, and adoption services.
"It also reflects the increased cost of providing care for older people as our population ages. As we live longer, councils are providing care to help a growing number of older people live independently in their own homes."
Children and families received 25 per cent of funding for social services. Other expenditure was accounted for by services for older people (43 per cent), adults with learning disabilities (16 per cent), physically disabled adults (7 per cent), adults with mental health problems (5 per cent) and other adult services (2 per cent). Asylum seekers accounted for a further one percent of expenditure.
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