Kent is getting an extra £3.9 million for social care, the Communities Secretary Sajid Javid announced today.
It comes after I joined other Kent MPs in lobbying Ministers for rising costs to be addressed in the forthcoming Local Government Finance Settlement. Paul Carter, Leader of Kent County Council, has also argued vigorously for a more generous funding settlement for the county.
This is good news for Kent. KCC has made impressive savings over the last few years, but with costs going up it’s getting harder and harder. I’m glad the Government has recognised that extra money is needed, particularly to meet growing social care needs, and is providing an extra £150 million Social Care Grant to Local Authorities across England for 2018/19.
Kent County Council will benefit from its share of the £150m, in addition to being one of just 15 authorities piloting the retention of Business Rates, which is expected to generate £20 million.
This should also help local hospitals with patients ready to go home but waiting for social care. Kent MPs got together and argued Kent’s case with the Secretary of State. I’m happy to see he’s listened and come up with the goods.