Extra £60m for adult social care

Published: 5-Jan-2022

Government pledges additional cash to local authorities to support adult social care response to COVID-19 in January

  • Government announces £60m top-up to local authorities to support adult social care sector in the new year
  • This is on top of £388m already being provided to prevent infections and provide testing
  • It comes as Omicron cases increase rapidly across the country

The Government will provide an extra £60m to local authorities to support the adult social care response to COVID-19 in January, Minister for Care, Gillian Keegan, has announced.

The Adult Social Care – Omicron Support Fund is on top of the £388m infection control and testing fund announced earlier in the year to prevent infections and provide testing in the care sector.

As cases of Omicron rise rapidly around the country, the additional £60m will help protect both those who receive care, the family and friends who support them, as well as the adult social care workforce.

Local authorities can use the funding to support the sector and protect people from COVID-19 infection.

This includes investing in improved ventilation, increasing the use of direct payments – which are offered to people with eligible social care needs so they have choice and control over their care and support arrangements – or paying for COVID-19 sickness and self-isolation pay for staff.

Keegan said: “Protecting care staff and people who use social care services continues to be a priority, especially as cases surge and Omicron spreads rapidly around the country.

“Today’s extra funding will ensure that we continue to support adult social care to keep people safe and prevent outbreaks.”

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