“Smoke and mirrors” spending review could leave a blackhole for social care

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

Responding to the spending review, Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesperson Daisy Cooper MP said:

"This spending review was a missed opportunity to repair the damage done by the Conservatives and finally deliver on the promise of change.

“Behind the smoke and mirrors is a potential blackhole for social care as local government budgets remain at breaking point. Putting more money into the NHS without fixing social care is like pouring water into a leaky bucket.

“The Chancellor must also raise her ambition for the country and boost growth through a much closer trade deal with the EU. That’s the best way to improve people’s living standards and unlock billions of pounds more for our public services.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

MHCLG is a facing a -1.4% real terms cut over the course of the spending review. Local government has a statutory responsibility to provide social care. It can be found in Table 5.3 here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/spending-review-2025-document/spending-review-2025-html#productive-and-agilestate