A report said that high public spending on child welfare and education in the United Kingdom was failing to produce results in many key areas. To give every child the chance of a better future, the government should continue to spend more on younger children, and target spending on older children more effectively.
Source: Doing Better for Children, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (+33 1 4524 8200)
Links: UK summary | OECD press release | Guardian report
Date: 2009-Sep
A report examined the future funding of adult social care and support.
Source: Facing Facts and Tomorrow's Reality Today: The cost of care, Local Government Association (020 7664 3000)
Links: Report | LGA press release
Date: 2009-Feb
Gross current expenditure by local councils with social services responsibilities in England on personal social services was £20.7 billion in 2007-08. This represented an increase of 3 per cent in cash terms since 2006-07, but little change in real terms. There had been a real-terms increase of 11 per cent since 2003-04, and 53 per cent since 1998-99.
Source: Personal Social Services Expenditure and Unit Costs England, 2007-08, NHS Information Centre (0845 300 6016)
Links: Report | Summary | Mencap press release | Guardian report | Community Care report
Date: 2009-Feb