Truss has not done enough to avoid winter crisis, sector warns

Published by Professional Social Work Magazine, 12 September, 2022

Social work and third sector leaders are uniting in their calls for the government to do more to address the cost of living crisis this winter.

Last week the government announced it is to cap average energy bills at £2,500 for two years, with public bodies, charities and businesses receiving equivalent support, but only confirmed for six months.

The rescue package starts from 1 October, stalling the astronomic rises in the energy price cap, which was predicted to reach £3,549 a year. The government is expected to transfer £150bn in taxpayer funds to pay for the scheme which has attracted criticism from the leader of the opposition Keir Starmer, who believes a windfall tax is the better option.

Many sector leaders are saying the government package will not be enough.

Andrew Western, chair of the Local Government Association’s Resources Board, said the measures only go “some way” to helping households and businesses.

He said: “The mainstream welfare system should ensure people have sufficient means to meet true living costs and councils and local partners need adequate resources to provide targeted and effective crisis support.”

Health and social care leaders have written to Liz Truss warning that services are at their “lowest point in 25 years”. The letter – co-signed by the NHS Confederation, NHS Providers, National Voices, the Academy of Royal Medical Colleges, and the Richmond Group of Charities – calls on Liz Truss to “mitigate the risks” this winter and urgently address the crisis in community social care.

Disability charities are also speaking out. Director of policy at Leonard Cheshire, Gemma Hope, said: “While a temporary freeze on energy bills is a welcome step in the right direction, disabled people are already being pushed into poverty. Existing support does not go far enough.”

A spokesperson for Independent Lives said: “For many disabled people, energy usage isn’t a choice, it’s vital. If you have lifesaving equipment that constantly needs to remain switched on, or an impairment that worsens in cold weather, your energy usage will be higher.”

Peter Kelly, director of the Poverty Alliance said: “One thing the UK government could do immediately is to reverse the unjust £20 cut in universal credit made last year.

“That the freeze is not being funded by a windfall tax is a huge missed opportunity, and the impact on future energy bills is a concern. Energy companies have made multi-billion pound profits over the last few years, and it is only right that those profits are used in part to ensure a more just response to the cost of living crisis.”

The Centre for Social Justice is also calling for an increase in universal credit. Policy director Joe Shalam said: “Frankly, it’s an injustice not to be using the welfare system in the way that we can to help people.

“Universal credit is the way to do that. We saw it deliver during the pandemic. It is one of the most advanced social security systems in the world.”

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation meanwhile points to a gap of around £800 for low-income families to find this winter, despite the recently announced measures.

The DWP has rejected recommendations to adjust benefits for current inflation.

Rt Hon Sir Stephen Timms MP, Chair of the Work and Pensions Committee, expressed disappointment, saying: “The government’s rejection of our recommendations at a time when so many families are continuing to feel real pain from rising prices is disappointing. While a package of support on energy bills is promised, the appointment of a new secretary of state presents a fresh opportunity to consider whether a change of approach at the DWP could also offer extra help for people through the benefits system.”

Social worker concerns

Calls for action come in the wake of a PSW survey of BASW members which revealed social workers fear deaths this winter, more children entering care, and an increase in domestic violence:

• 95 per cent strongly agreed with the statement that vulnerable people may die this winter due to cost of living crisis
• 95 per cent strongly agreed that domestic violence will increase
• 75 per cent strongly agreed that more children will come into care due to cost of living crisis
• 55 per cent strongly agreed that caseloads will become unmanageable

More than a decade of public sector cuts amid rising need for services has left many social work teams close to crisis point across the UK.

Social workers highlight a lack of resources and support services resulting in a focus on crisis work rather than early intervention.

High vacancy rates in many departments is leading to excessive caseloads, long hours and a heavy reliance on costly agency staff. All of which is taking its toll on social workers in the shape of stress, burnout and people leaving the profession.

Rachael Wardell, chair of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services’ Workforce Development Policy Committee, said: “Local government has operated in a context of significant funding cuts and multiple pay freezes over the past decade which has a knock-on impact on our workforce and services.

“We need government to provide long-term solutions to these problems which will affect all parts of our workforce, including those working in frontline services with children and families.

The PSW survey also revealed that social workers themselves are directly impacted by the cost of living crisis, with:

• 43 per cent fearing they will struggle to pay their own bills
• 20 per cent expecting to use a food bank themselves soon
• 9 per cent already having used a food bank recently

The Social Workers’ Benevolent Trust recently reported a spike in applications for support. The charity, the only one in the UK providing grants to social workers in financial distress, is struggling to meet demand and has had to lower its maximum grant from £500 to £450.

The charity has already received 246 applications in 2021-2 compared to 174 applications last year.

BASW chief executive Ruth Allen said: “Social workers are among the best placed professionals to comment on the cost-of-living crisis. What they have told us is shocking and an important insight into the impact on real lives.

“To hear of social workers being forced to use food banks shows how deeply poverty and governmental neglect has penetrated.”

John McGowan, general secretary of the Social Workers Union, added: “The package of support measures announced by the present government fall laughably short.

“Many social workers are already advising that there is just not enough in the ‘money pot’ to heat their homes and pay mortgages which is totally unacceptable.

“The time for talking is over. We need real action from government.”

Promises

Thérèse Coffey, the new health and social care secretary, has said social care is one of her top four priorities, alongside ambulance response times, the NHS backlog and access to doctors’ and dentists’ appointments.

Sector leaders repeatedly warn that greater investment in social care is an essential aspect of reducing healthcare pressures. Addressing recruitment and retention by raising wages is seen as crucial.

There has been no clarity on where the extra funding for the NHS and social care will be found in the wake of Truss’s pledge to reverse the rise in national insurance.

And the £3.6 billion allocated for the three-year reform plan for adult social care – which include an £86,000 cap on care costs and means testing care – has been branded inadequate.