Citizens Advice Scotland’s Post

We built our social security system so that everyone — especially those who most need it — can have stability and freedom to prosper and thrive in an uncertain world.  But for too long, successive governments have weakened our social security system, so that more and more people are being allowed to fall into unjust poverty.  Scotland has been travelling a different path, building a stronger and more just social security system with benefits such as the Scottish Child Payment, and action to fill the huge income gaps left by actions like the UK government’s unjust and ineffective benefit cap.  In our response to the consultation on the new Social Security Amendment Bill in the Scottish Parliament, we say if changes are made around the legal basis of the Scottish Child Payment, and with the launch of a new benefit for carers, we can make even more progress towards the goal of ending poverty in wealthy Scotland.  https://lnkd.in/eV5vTUVv

Adult Social Care and Children's services typically form 2/3rds of a local authority budget, is where the overspend is greatest, is where demand continues to increase, and will be where heart-breaking budget cuts are likely to target. Yet, this can be addressed through planning. When thinking health, always thing health protection, health promotion and health care. On the protection front, address physical and behavioural barriers that might limit positive social interaction and physical activity, remove hazards and improve living conditions in homes. This alone could significantly reduce the number of trips and slips that result in senior people entering hospitals, but not able to return to their homes as they are not suitable. On the promotion front, double down on the age, dementia and neurodiversity friendly design. This alone can facilitate healthy independent living for longer, and prevent, reduce and delay the need for clinical intervention and social care. Build in respite for families and carer's. SEND play facilities are often a life saver during the summer holidays, where children with a special need may be pushed out due to cost or environmental overload. Such play facilities are not only great for the kids, but offer respite to the family, and brings families with similar challenges together to share coping strategies and support. Then look at health and social care.... how can your project help enhance local capacity, reduce costs to the NHS and Local Authority, but also support the front line providers.

Prevention through planning for the future is critical and a total place transformation tool to reduce budgetary pressures over longer temporal periods and form new, innovative ways to address health and well-being in Place. Public Health and Planning are intertwined within the historical nature of planning over centuries - it's just been forgotten...for now...

The Ontario government has allocated $3.7 billion less than what's needed to fund existing programs and its announced commitments in children, community and social services, the province's financial watchdog said in a report released Wednesday. The Financial Accountability Office of Ontario (FAO) estimates the province is short $0.7 billion in its budget for Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) spending for 2024-25, which will grow to $1.2 billion by 2025-26 and $1.8 billion in 2026-27.  The ministry is responsible for delivering the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) and Ontario Works (OW), which are its two largest income support programs. The FAO predicts the programs, along with other financial and employment support spending, account for the bulk of projected spending growth.

Interesting post from Mr Patrick- I’ve just been on the Shropshire County Council website and will share the balance sheet that is included in the Council’s latest Statement of Accounts for 2023/24 This shows that the Council’s Gross Assets are over £1 billion and its net assets are £750 million ie 3/4 of a billion pounds. If the Council does enter into “ bankruptcy “ who gets to administer those assets day to day I wonder? As the Council are in effect holding capital assets on trust for Salop Council Tax and Business Rate payers perhaps those assets should be transferred into a Community Interest Company that administers them on behalf of Salopians to ensure that the best rate of return possible is being generated for those vulnerable Adults & Young people within the County. The worry must be that if the Government just stumps up more cash to those currently running the council it will simply be putting in “ good money after bad”. I’ll share the link showing the Councils Land & Property Assets in a moment - there is a very nice interactive property “ terrier” which shows what real estate assets the Council owns & controls. And also a good article from the local paper showing how many rough sleepers there are in Shropshire atm ; how many households in temp Accomodation and how many Shropshire children in temporary Accomodation Watch this space

Latest from me and Hiba Sameen in the MJ on the Budget and social care: the good, the bad and the ugly. A government plan for the sector can't come soon enough: https://lnkd.in/eij7SDMg

📢 Important Update for Adult Social Care The Conservative manifesto has pledged to implement a cap on care costs by October 2025. However, this pledge remains unfunded, raising significant concerns about its feasibility. The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) warns that implementing these reforms will require cuts in other areas without allocated funding, affecting local government and social care services. At AACA, we stress the importance of sustainable funding to ensure these critical reforms can be effectively executed. Read the full article below - #adultsocialcare #generalelection #safeguarding

📢 Namibia’s Social Security Commission (SSC) is set to raise member contributions in 2025 to enhance critical benefits like maternity leave and funeral support. With costs rising and the need to ensure financial sustainability, the SSC is committed to protecting its members. 💼👶⚰️ 🔎 "While the increase is necessary, we are ensuring it won't be a heavy financial burden," says CEO Milka Mungunda. 🏛️💪 Learn how these changes aim to align with international best practices while providing better support for Namibians. 💼💡 #SocialSecurity #NamibiaSSC #BenefitsIncrease #MaternityLeave #FuneralBenefits #SocialProtection #ContributionIncrease #NamibiaEconomy #FinancialPlanning #SustainableBenefits #ILO #BCS #NamibiaPolicy #MaternitySupport #NamibianWorkers

UK Budget 2024: What’s in Store for Social Care? The recent UK budget brings a significant boost for social care, with £600 million in additional funding for councils in 2025-26 as part of a larger £1.3 billion grant. While this is encouraging news, it’s important to recognize the complexities that come with it. Key impacts include: Funding Increases: New resources for councils aim to address the strain on social care services, but rising costs (e.g., increased national living wage and employer tax contributions) may limit how far these funds can stretch. Support for Vulnerable Populations: £86 million is allocated for disabled facilities grants, enabling 7,800 home adaptations, and £233 million for homelessness prevention—a crucial step toward supporting individuals with disabilities and reducing housing insecurity. Enhanced Carer Support: The earnings threshold for unpaid carers receiving carer’s allowance has increased, potentially benefiting an additional 60,000 carers. However, challenges remain. As wage and operational costs continue to rise, this funding may largely cover existing needs rather than enable significant expansion in services. For providers and service users, managing expectations and preparing for the upcoming tax and cost changes will be crucial. 👉 Read my full analysis below on the budget’s social care impacts and what stakeholders need to know in 2024 and beyond. #SocialCare #UKBudget2024 #HealthcareFunding #SupportForCarers #DisabilitySupport #HomelessnessPrevention #SocialImpact #HealthcareNavigation