The statement, which was coordinated by the Local Government Association, is signed by a range of organisations, including Carers UK, British Association of Social Workers, Social Care Future, Age UK, Care England, Association of Directors of Adult Social Services and the National Care Forum.

It says: ‘In the past, governments have looked for savings and efficiencies to help plug immediate gaps. The scope for those is now extremely limited and the clear reality is that current funding levels are insufficient to tackle the challenges facing the sector, such as inflation, demography, workforce recruitment and retention, the inability to invest in prevention and provider instability. 

‘Without significant new funding in the Spending Review, the coming months will likely be the most difficult we've seen in recent years for all parts of the sector and – most important of all – for people who draw on care and support.'

The ADASS 2024 Spring Survey shows adult services directors are planning to deliver £903m in savings for 2024/25, taking cumulative savings over the last five years to £3.5bn.

Skills for Care's 2024 annual report on the care workforce shows the vacancy rate in adult social care was 8.3% in 2023/24, higher than the NHS (6.9%) and the wider UK economy (2.8%).