30/10/2026
I genuinely had high hopes for today’s Budget.
Following the Prime Minister’s comments about adult social care and the promise of a National Care Service, I thought we might finally see some money behind the words.
Not a complete overhaul overnight. Just a meaningful first step towards giving our sector, and the incredible people within it, the recognition and investment they deserve.
But once again, nothing.
Another Budget without the meaningful additional funding adult social care so desperately needs.
Quite frankly, how can any government keep talking about the importance of care while failing to invest in the people who deliver it?
We entrust care workers with the wellbeing, dignity, safety and sometimes the very lives of our most vulnerable citizens.
They work early mornings, late evenings, weekends and bank holidays. They support people through their hardest moments and provide companionship to those who might otherwise see nobody all day.
They are skilled, compassionate professionals carrying enormous responsibility.
Yet far too many earn barely above the minimum wage.
As a home care provider, I want wages that genuinely reflect their skills, dedication and responsibilities.
But you cannot expect providers to significantly increase wages when funding fails to cover the true cost of care.
You cannot keep increasing employment costs without ensuring the money is there.
And you cannot build a National Care Service on the goodwill and financial sacrifice of those expected to deliver it.
Warm words don’t pay wages. Promises don’t fund care. Recognition without investment is meaningless.
We don’t need another announcement about care in five or ten years.
We need meaningful action NOW.
Adult social care is not an optional extra. It is an essential part of our society. It’s time it was treated like one.
Our care workers deserve better.
The people who depend on them deserve better.
And after years of promises, our entire sector deserves better.
