Local councils in England devoted a record share of their core budgets to adult and children’s social care last year, with nearly three-quarters of funding—71.9%—allocated to these services, up from 62.4% in 2017-18. Sixteen authorities spent over 80% of their core budgets on care alone, leaving limited resources for other essential local services. The total net expenditure on adult and children’s social care reached £42.8 billion, with adult care consuming nearly half and children’s services nearly a third of the total. Rising care costs are squeezing councils’ ability to maintain other critical public services.
Councils collectively spent record 71.9% of core spending on adult and children’s care last year, analysis showsSixteen English councils spent more than 80% of their core funding on adult and children’s social care last year, highlighting the growing financial pressure on other local services.Guardian analysis of government figures found that councils responsible for social care spent a net £42.8bn on adult and children’s services in 2025-26, equivalent to a record 71.9% of their combined core spending. Adult social care took 44.5% and children’s services accounted for 27.4%. In 2017-18, care costs made up 62.4% of councils’ core spending. Continue reading...
