Conservatives must face up to social care crisis - Farron

A report released by a leading social care charity shows that across the country more than 900 care workers a day are leaving the profession, leading to growing staff shortages.

In the North West, over 200,000 people are employed in social care. However, a shortage of staff means around 1 in 20 roles remains vacant.

The Lib Dems have repeatedly called for extra funding for social care. Under Lib Dem plans, social care would receive a £2billion emergency boost this year, including more than £20million in Cumbria.

However, the Conservative government has refused to give social care the funding it needs, spreading £2billion over three years. In Cumbria, Conservatives on the County Council last week failed to back a motion calling on the government to provide extra cash for social care.

Tim said: "Social care faces a growing crisis, and urgently needs extra funding. It is therefore extremely disappointing that local conservative councillors have chosen to toe the party line rather than stand up for local people.

"The government is letting down the elderly and the vulnerable, who rely on care workers to get through each day.

"If the government doesn't give social care the funding it needs, then the system faces collapse. It will then be the NHS that is left to pick up the tab, and the long-term cost will be even greater."