A statement from Camphill Village Trust Chief Executive, Sara Thakkar, on the contents of the Government’s 2025 Autumn Budget in relation to the social care sector.
Social care deserves more than silence
In yesterday’s Budget, no mention was made of the escalating pressures faced by the social care sector, and we acknowledged the announcing of measures which would further increase those pressures.
Wage increases which begin to recognise the vital contributions of care workers are to be loudly applauded. However, the Budget does not consider in any way how these increases will be shouldered by an already overstretched sector.
The deafening silence is deeply concerning. At Camphill Village Trust, charitable donations have often made up for shortfalls in Local Authority rates for statutory services. The reality is stark. We are relying on charity to deliver basic state services, even without the additional fundraised opportunities we offer through Green Care, co-production and an enriched community life. This is not sustainable and cannot continue.
Providers are expected to absorb rising costs without the resources to do so. It sends the troubling message people who need care are an afterthought, and that the quality of life of people with support needs can be compromised when budgets are tight.
Social care is not an optional extra. It is a cornerstone for a fair and inclusive society. Every pound invested in care delivers value far beyond the immediate service: it supports families, strengthens communities, and reduces pressure on the NHS.
This Budget should have recognised that reality, rather than ignoring its responsibility towards our vital, struggling sector.
Health tech without digital exclusion
The Budget’s focus on health technology is positive, but not without blind spots. Innovation must extend to social care, and reach people where they are, through initiatives created in collaboration with end service users, particularly given the higher rates of digital exclusion experienced by many recipients of adult social care.
We already know that healthcare is not accessible for many people with a learning disability, and other communication or support needs. We also know that deep health inequalities impact the health and shorten the lifespan of people with a learning disability or mental health conditions, as well as autistic people.
Millions of people receive support in their own homes and communities, and technology can play a vital role in enabling independence and improving outcomes. Yet, without a clear plan for social care innovation and digital inclusion, this agenda risks leaving behind those who need it most.
Towards a more holistic approach
While we did not anticipate approaches like Green Care or social prescribing appearing specifically in the Autumn Budget, their absence highlights a persistent gap in government thinking. These approaches are proven to improve wellbeing, cost-effectively relieving pressure on the NHS, yet they remain invisible in national funding priorities. If we truly want a sustainable care system, we must move beyond crisis management and embrace evidence-based, preventative, holistic solutions.
Until then, providers and charities will continue to shoulder the financial burden, without the resources to do so.
At Camphill Village Trust, we will continue to champion the rights of people with learning disabilities and autism, and to call for a social care system that is properly funded, forward-thinking, and focused on enabling everyone to live their life of opportunity.
Sara Thakkar (Chief Executive, Camphill Village Trust)
