The Department of Communities and Local Government has published local authority budget estimates for next year, which show, p 3, that expenditure is planned to rise 4 percent, a bit more than some other activities, but not much bearing in mind the rising numbers of older people.

The paper is on the internet: http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/statistics/pdf/1299471.pdf

I have copied a pie chart that shows that social care (including children which central government budget-wise seems still to be classified separately from education) is about 18% of local authority expenditure, second to education at 37%. My question is, would you realise its financial significance to local government from the press reporting in your local paper (if you still have one)? Another Table shows that expenditure on older people’s social care is going to be far more than that on children. Would you realise that comparative importance from press coverage?

Twas always thus, but it’s worth reminding ourselves of the relative importance of the size of different social care activities.

THe copied material here: LA Expenditure 2009/10