New Report Reveals Stark Financial Reality Facing Adult Social Care Providers

The 2025/26 Cost Pressures Report from Care and Support West delivers a powerful warning about the financial strain facing adult social care providers across the South West. With wage costs set to rise by nearly 27% over two years and employer National Insurance Contributions increasing, local authorities are unlikely to receive the funding needed to cover these costs, threatening the viability of the region’s vital network of small and medium-sized care providers. This concise, evidence-backed report outlines the immediate risks, offers practical solutions, and calls on policymakers to act now to prevent a localised care crisis that could ripple across the NHS and local economies.