Watch as Shropshire MPs call for fairer funding for social care in county

Stuart Anderson, the Conservative MP for South Shropshire and Helen Morgan, who represents the north of the county were taking part in a debate following the Autumn Budget at the end of October.

The Budget included an extra £22.6 billion for health and social care, including to reduce waiting times with an extra 40,000 elective appointments. It also allocated £600 million for social care.

Mr Anderson's call for the fairer allocation of funding follows reports that Shropshire Council’s spending on social care has increased from 58 per cent to 74 per cent of its budget over the last six years.

There are also concerns that the funding will not keep pace with demand.

Mr Anderson said: “I am committed to championing the health and social care needs of everyone across South Shropshire.

“As part of this, I want to ensure that older and disabled people can live with the dignity and respect that they deserve.

“I am incredibly proud of all our health and social care staff and recognise their incredible commitment to our communities.

“The staff who make up the paid social care workforce provide an invaluable service. I want to work with the sector in Shropshire and beyond to understand the impact of emerging challenges and ensure that there is continuity of care. I fully acknowledge that there is more work to be done. So, I look forward to working with colleagues to build consensus on these issues in Parliament.”

In the debate Mr Anderson said: “The impact that we have in Shropshire on social care is about 80 per cent of the council's funding goes towards that. Does the Honourable Member believe we need a fairer system to support funding for social care in Shropshire?

Mrs Morgan, a Lib Dem spokesperson replied: “I thank him for his intervention. I think that fair funding for rural authorities and indeed all local authorities, is a point that I made many times in this House, and I absolutely agree with him on that.”