- England's adult social care system is facing a record number of people requiring long-term support, placing significant strain on local authority budgets.
- Around 890,000 individuals accessed long-term care in the year to March 2025, an increase of 53,000 from the previous year and the highest figure since records began in 2015/16.
- Total council expenditure on adult social care rose to £34.5 billion in 2024/25, a 4.1 per cent real-terms increase, yet councils still lack sufficient resources to meet all demands.
- Local authorities are increasing fees for care providers below the actual rise in costs, which could impact market stability, quality of care, and lead to higher charges for private-paying clients.
- An independent commission, led by Baroness Louise Casey, is reviewing adult social care, with an interim report expected later this year and long-term recommendations due by 2028, aiming for a national conversation on reform.
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