The new burdens local authorities will be landed with by the Care Act must be fully funded, London Councils has stressed.
In a consultation response published yesterday, the organisation said funding to implement the reforms for the period 2016/17 to 2019/20 was estimated to be about £738m.
London Councils also warned of a potential 25% increase in demand under the proposed new eligibility criteria, equating to about £67m in the capital.
The response read: ‘If this difference is intended then the additional demand should be fully funded.
‘If it is not then the guidance needs to be amended to clarify areas of uncertainty.’
London Councils added they believed there was a £36m funding gap for implementing the measures that come into place in 2015/16 and the preparatory work needed.
