Adult social care spending 'has fallen by 3% in real terms'

The amount spent on adult social care in England has fallen in real terms, according to a report.

The study from the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC) found a fall in spending by councils, from £17.2 billion in 2013/14 to £17.1 billion in 2014/15.

This represents a 3% drop in real terms, the study said.

Among 144 councils, the amount spent on residential and nursing care for adults aged 65 and over was £4.9 billion, a 2% drop in real terms compared with the year before.

For adults aged 18 to 64, the figure was £2.8 billion, a drop of 6% in real terms.

Direct payments in 2014/15 for adults aged 65 and over to manage their own care increased by 11% in real terms to £470 million from £420 million.

For those aged 18 to 64, there was a 3% rise to £1 billion.

Over the five-year period from 2009/10, total spending on adult social care has fallen 8% in real terms, the study added.

The data, which is provisional, also showed that long-term residential and nursing care costs £668 per week on average.