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Council spends 77p in every pound on care services as funding gap grows

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Suffolk County Council has revealed that children's and adult care now consumes 77 pence of every pound spent as it appeals to the Chancellor for additional local government funding ahead of Wednesday's Autumn Budget.

The big picture: The council says public funding is not keeping pace with service demands despite implementing cost-saving measures over the past five years.

Why it matters: The outcome could affect residents in two ways:

  • Future council tax rates could be impacted

  • Public service delivery may need to be reviewed

Picture of the front of Endeavour House, the Suffolk County Council office building
Endeavour House in IpswichOliver Rouane-WilliamsIpswich.co.uk

By the numbers:

  • 77p of every £1 goes to children's and adult care services.

  • The council has made savings over 5 years, but reports its budget gap continues to grow.

What they're saying: Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Cllr Richard Smith MVO, said in a letter to the Chancellor: "We accept fully how demand for funding for public services is universal, with all eyes looking towards the Treasury for urgent financial relief."

He added: "The council feels it essential that the pressures facing local authorities are fully recognised by government and reflected in the local government settlement."

Looking ahead: The Chancellor's Autumn Budget statement is scheduled for Wednesday.

Local MP presses for answers on pensioner benefit take-up

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Patrick Spencer, MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, has asked the government to outline what progress has been made in reaching pensioners who may be missing out on vital financial support.

The big picture: Spencer's question to Emma Reynolds, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, follows changes to Winter Fuel Payment announced on July 29. Around 20,000 pensioners in Ipswich are expected to lose their payments this winter.

Why it matters: Thousands of pensioners who receive housing benefits could be eligible for additional pension credit payments but are not currently claiming them.

What they're saying: Reynolds confirmed that the government had identified approximately 120,000 pensioners nationwide who receive Housing Benefits but may be missing out on Pension Credit payments they're entitled to and that the government will write to these households shortly.

By the numbers:

  • The government expects Pension Credit take-up to increase by 5 percentage points.

  • This could mean around 100,000 successful new claims by December 21, 2024.

  • Claims can be backdated up to 3 months to ensure entitlement to Winter Fuel Payment for 2024/25.

Looking ahead: The government plans to combine the administration of Pension Credit and Housing Benefit to streamline the process for pensioner households.

Sources

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