Calls for urgent action as social care costs soar

COUNCILS are being forced to pay £53,352 a year for each pensioner needing nursing home care - an 82% increase from eight years ago.

- Lucy Johnston

The rise, unearthed by the Liberal Democrats, paints a dire picture of adult social care in the UK.

They now want Labour to reverse its controversial National Insurance hike, which will cause costs to soar again from April, amid fears private residents will be hit the hardest.

Figures gleaned from House of Commons library data show spending on nursing care in weekly terms rose from £563 in 2015/16 to £1,026 in 2023/24 - outpacing inflation by 7%.

Had it risen at the same rate, councils would be spending £3,328 less per pensioner per year.

The data also shows the crisis is gathering pace. From 2021/22 to 2023/24 costs jumped by 27% - more than £200 per week per person.