118 CEOs warn Reeves social care situation is the 'most difficult in years'

MORE than 100 chief executives have warned that Rachel Reeves' increase in national insurance will make the coming months the hardest in years for social care.

- Giles Sheldrick

The heads of 118 organisations put their names to a letter demanding the Government recognises that properly funding adult social care is an "investment rather than a cost".

Cash-strapped councils responsible for provision of care will discover this week how much they will receive in annual settlements. The warning claims pain will be felt by millions of people if there are no additional funds for a sector now hanging by a thread.

The letter, arranged by the Local Government Association and signed by organisations including Age UK, Mencap, the British Association of Social Workers and the Autism Alliance UK, paints a grim picture of how the Chancellor's changes will send social care into meltdown.

The rise in employers' NI contributions came in Labour's first Budget in 14 years.

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From April, they will pay 15% on salaries above £5,000 compared with 13.8% above £9,100 now. The living wage increases to £12.21 an hour while the minimum wage for 18 to 20-year-olds will rise to £10 an hour.