Health and Social Care Spending Per Person Are Set To Fall

Both health and social care spending per person are set to fall in the coming years under current government plans, analysis by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) has revealed.

 The figures predicted that health spending per person will be 1.3% lower in 2020 than in 2010 once the UK's growing and ageing population is taken into account.

 Meanwhile even if councils make full use of powers to raise council tax to pay for social care, spending will still be 3.4% lower per adult than in 2010.

 Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary Norman Lamb commented:

 "These figures reveal the sheer scale of the crisis facing the NHS and social care in the years ahead.

“It’s time to be honest with the public about the bold solutions needed to ensure patients and elderly people continue to receive the right level of care.

“Otherwise we will see standards fall and hospitals collapse under the pressure of growing demand.

“The Liberal Democrats are prepared to take the difficult decisions required to secure the future of the NHS and care, including increasing tax.”

Image: Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary Norman Lamb