Introduce national social care tariffs so councils pay the true cost of care

Local authorities have legal duties under the Care Act 2014 to meet eligible care needs and maintain a sustainable care market. Yet many councils pay fees below the cost of delivering care. The resulting gap is filled by private households through higher fees and top-ups and by providers operating on unsustainable margins. We believe this hidden cost shifting transfers part of the state’s responsibilities onto households and care providers without a clear democratic mandate.