Local councils across England overspent by £774 million on adult social care last year, the highest overspend in a decade, according to new figures from the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS). Pressures to meet legal duties have forced councils to divert funding away from early intervention and preventative care, cutting this part of the budget by over 10%.
Despite government ambitions to move health and care services closer to communities, social care leaders warn this goal is unattainable without proper investment. The growing complexity of care needs, alongside rising costs, has left councils focusing solely on crisis support. With tighter eligibility criteria expected, fewer people are likely to receive help before reaching breaking point.
Care providers and campaigners say this reactive approach puts extra pressure on the NHS and leaves vulnerable people at greater risk. Ongoing issues include a postcode lottery for Continuing Healthcare funding and care staff being asked to carry out NHS duties without additional funding. All social care directors surveyed said they expect NHS pressures to increase demand on their services in the coming year.
Sector leaders are calling for urgent funding reform, warning that without long-term investment in community-based care, the government’s prevention-focused vision for health and social care cannot be realised.
A growing grassroots campaign is warning that the government’s Access to Work scheme, which supports disabled people in employment, is now in serious jeopardy. The Access to Work Collective – a group of over 3,000 disabled individuals and allies – has launched the #AccessToNowhere campaign in response to mounting concerns about delays, funding reductions and mismanagement since early 2024.
Launched in 1994, the scheme provides practical help like specialist equipment, transport support, BSL interpreters and workplace assistants, allowing disabled employees to access and stay in work. It also eases pressure on employers by covering costs that might otherwise deter inclusive hiring. Despite its proven benefits, many now face award cuts of up to 60% and months-long delays in both new applications and renewals.
Campaigners say the system is now overwhelmed, with 62,000 applications still awaiting decisions and a backlog of 33,000 unpaid claims. Behind these statistics are real people – some who have already lost their jobs, and others struggling to stay in work without the support they’ve been promised.
Public figures like Rose Ayling-Ellis and Adam Pearson have condemned the cuts. They argue the scheme’s collapse risks pushing thousands of disabled people out of employment, calling it a failure of leadership and a step backwards for disability rights in the UK.
The Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment (PIP) Bill has cleared its Second Reading in Parliament, passing by 335 votes to 260, after the Government introduced last-minute changes to appease growing opposition. Mounting criticism from disability campaigners and over 120 Labour MPs nearly derailed the legislation, prompting the Government to delay key aspects of the proposed reforms.
Central to the backlash were changes to PIP, which many warned could deepen hardship for disabled people. In response, ministers announced that current recipients of PIP and the health element of Universal Credit will remain unaffected, with reforms applying only to new claimants. Still, disability organisations have dismissed these adjustments as inadequate.
A further concession was made with the announcement that no changes to PIP would occur before late 2026, following a comprehensive review led by Sir Stephen Timms. The review will include direct input from disabled people and focus on improving assessment accuracy, not reducing costs. Advocacy groups welcomed this development but warned that true reform must prioritise lived experience over financial cuts.
Critics argue the bill was pushed forward without key supporting evidence, including impact assessments and employment data. Campaigners say the reforms echo the harshness of past austerity measures and unfairly target disabled individuals to plug gaps in public spending.
A newly published 10-year vision for the NHS sets out to reshape the health service into one that prevents illness rather than simply treating it. The government’s blueprint aims to move much of the burden away from hospitals by investing in local care and early intervention. The plan highlights the need for inclusive care, especially for disabled people and those with learning disabilities, who continue to experience stark health inequalities and shorter life expectancy.
The strategy places emphasis on holistic neighbourhood teams that can offer more consistent support. Parents and young children are set to benefit from better developmental monitoring, while efforts will also focus on more inclusive, community-based care for people with complex needs. The plan was shaped by over 250,000 contributions through the "Change NHS" campaign, reflecting wide public and professional input.
Lord Darzi’s recent review revealed serious shortcomings in NHS performance, particularly around support for individuals with learning disabilities. Despite multiple targets set over the past decade, thousands remain detained in mental health facilities. Critics argue that without urgent, specific measures to address this, the latest targets risk falling short again.
While organisations like Mencap and the Health Foundation welcome the vision, they stress that lasting change hinges on investment, social care reform, and clear implementation plans - without which, the promises may never reach patients.
Food retailers and manufacturers in England will work alongside ministers on a new drive to make it easier for people to choose healthier options when shopping. The government’s latest strategy aims to tackle high obesity levels by encouraging supermarkets to promote nutritious products through incentives like loyalty points, offers, or changing store layouts. The idea forms part of a broader ten-year NHS improvement plan due to be published shortly.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the approach marks a shift from past efforts, favouring collaboration with businesses over strict regulation. The plans include asking major food firms to report on healthy food sales and meet new targets agreed with government. There’s also discussion about reformulating products to improve their nutritional content. Ministers believe these changes could help lower obesity rates, reduce pressure on health services, and support families to make better choices without dictating what they should buy.
Retailers have welcomed the move, though some experts warn the strategy must be far-reaching. Campaigners argue that without involving takeaways and convenience stores, progress will be limited. The government also intends to explore tighter rules on alcohol marketing and expand programmes supporting weight management. Vouchers rewarding healthy lifestyles are expected to be offered through a new app.
Critics stress that healthier food still costs significantly more than processed alternatives, and a more comprehensive plan is needed to make nutritious diets affordable and accessible for all.
A new code of practice has been unveiled by the Government to ensure consistent training for staff working in health and social care settings. The guidance applies to all providers regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and aims to improve how people with learning disabilities and autistic individuals are supported. This training standard carries the name of Oliver McGowan, a teenager from Bristol who sadly died after being given medication despite clear objections from both him and his family.
Oliver, who was autistic and had a learning disability as well as epilepsy, lost his life in circumstances his parents believe were entirely avoidable. They say better understanding among healthcare professionals could have prevented his death. The new code outlines how staff should be trained so that future care is safer and more person-centred.
From April 2025, care providers offering this training will be able to claim back costs through a government-funded scheme, with funding set aside for the following year. This is in line with the Health and Care Act 2022, which made it mandatory for CQC-registered services to ensure staff complete this type of training.
Care Minister Stephen Kinnock praised Oliver’s parents for their dedication in pushing for change, saying their efforts will help create a fairer, more compassionate system for some of society’s most vulnerable people.
