Shocking social care stats reveal decrease in spend

Tuesday 10 February 2009

Figures published today by The Information Centre for Health and Social Care reveal a 0.5% decrease in real terms spend on social care in 2007-08.

David Congdon, head of campaigns and policy at learning disability charity, Mencap, said:  "The figures published today reveal the true horror of the social care crisis.  It is outrageous that the spending on social care has been cut at a time when demand for services in increasing.               

"The government must take action by providing an immediate and substantial increase in funding so the social care system doesn't continue to fail our most vulnerable citizens."

-ends-

Notes to editors

To down load a copy of Personal Social Services Expenditure and Unit Costs England, 2007-08, go to:

http://www.ic.nhs.uk/statistics-and-data-collections/social-care/adult-social-care-information/personal-social-services-expenditure-and-unit-costs:-england-2007-08

• Mencap works with people with a learning disability and their families and carers.
• 1.5 million people in the UK have a learning disability.
• A learning disability is caused by the way the brain develops before, during or shortly after birth. It is always lifelong.
• Learning disability affects someone's intellectual and social development all their life. People with a learning disability find it harder than others to learn, understand and communicate.
• People with a learning disability don't get an equal chance in life. Mencap fights to change laws and services and to provide better access to education, employment and leisure facilities, supporting thousands of people with a learning disability to live their lives the way they want.
• It is not a mental illness and should not be confused with mental health issues. It is not dyslexia or aspergers syndrome.
• It used to be called mental handicap but we don't use this term anymore because most people with a learning disability find it offensive.
• For information about learning disability issues please call the Learning Disability Helpline (England) on 0808 808 1111 or visit www.askmencap.info
• For online press information, go to www.mencap.org.uk/press