Introduce transparent national social care tariffs so councils pay the true cost of care, ending the hidden shifting of costs onto private households and care providers when local authority fees fall below the cost of delivering safe services.

Local authorities have legal duties under the Care Act 2014 to meet eligible care needs and maintain a sustainable care market. Yet many councils pay fees below the cost of delivering care. The resulting gap is filled by private households through higher fees and top-ups and by providers operating on unsustainable margins. We believe this hidden cost shifting transfers part of the state’s responsibilities onto households and care providers without a clear democratic mandate.