Saturday 21 November 2015

Osborne to allow councils to raise tax to fund social care

George Osborne is expected to announce plans in the Autumn Statement on Wednesday to allow councils facing a social care funding crisis in their area to raise council tax by up to 2%. It is estimated that if all councils decide to impose the chancellor's 2% "social care precept", as much as £2bn could be raised by the end of the parliament in 2020. On Band D designated homes with the owner paying £1,400 a year in council tax, the additional cost would be £30 per property. It would be for the local council to decide if it wanted to raise the cash, but the money has to be spent on social care.

Saturday 14 November 2015

Care homes and a looming crisis

The FT's Jonathan Eley writes that the "economics of care" are miserable. Four Seasons is lossmaking because a lot of care is paid for by local councils, he claims. Facing substantial cuts in budgets, local authorities have reduced the fees they pay to care home operators and are being more demanding in their judgment of who needs care. Also, running costs are rising, claims Mr Eley: "Ahead of the Autumn Statement, George Osborne may currently be preoccupied with ways to extricate himself from the tax credits brouhaha, but the looming crisis in social care could turn out to be just as damaging," he concludes.

Thursday 12 November 2015

Care sector destined for failure due to lack of government funding

UNISON, the public service union are increasingly concerned that some of the UK’s largest private care providers are on the verge of collapse according to reports.

It is understood that Four Seasons Healthcare, the largest provider of care homes in the UK, are struggling to meet rising debt.

UNISON fear the government are not listening to several pleas to invest in social care, and that residents will suffer if the Government does not act quickly.

In the Northern Region, Four Seasons Healthcare have already sold three homes within the last couple of months, in what was described as an organisational structural change.

Ian Fleming, UNISON Area Organiser, said, “If the situation doesn't improve with Local Authority funding, it won't just be Four Seasons Healthcare who will be selling homes. It will be industry wide in their attempt to work their way out of rising debt. We are deeply concerned that recent reports have highlight warnings that the entire care sector is in a slow motion collapse.

“We want residents, their families, and our members to be kept informed and not hear about changes through press coverage.

UNISON repeatedly raised concerns about Southern Cross when they collapsed, but our concerns were ignored then with dire consequences, the Government needs to heed the warnings and support local authorities in funding care for the most vulnerable in society and treat them with dignity and respect.”

UNISON has arranged to meet the Regional Four Seasons Healthcare Senior Management team in order to address some of our members concerns but the root of the problem lies with the Government and their policies.


For further information contact Ian Fleming on 07817 120625


Thursday 5 November 2015

Support Jus-Rol Workers

As you will be aware on the news the ‘General Mills’ has announced plans to close its Jul-Rol site in Berwick with the loss of over 265 jobs, due to the review of its manufacturing and distribution network, with the goal of streamlining operations and identifying potential capacity reductions.  General Mills is one the world's larger food companies, with offices or manufacturing facilities in more than 30 countries, with its base in Minneapolis, Minnesota (USA).  In fiscal 2015, its global net sales were $17.6 billion!  Part of its portfolio are:  Häagen Dazs, Old El Paso; Green Giant; Betty Crocker; Pillsbury; Cheerios; Nature Valley.  The Chief Executive is:Kendall J Powell – Email:  kendall.powell@genmills.com  

The Employer has a 50 year history with Berwick and is the town’s largest employer, and supporter of the town’s culture and charities.  Jus-Rol is the No. 1 Brand in the frozen and chilled pastry categories, and Jus-Rol leads both the chilled and frozen pastry sectors. Delia Smith has given the seal of approval to Jus-Rol. The brand is included in her book “Delia’s How to Cheat at Cooking.”
Workers at the factory are rightly worried about their future.   The potential loss of 265 jobs would be a devastating blow to Berwick and the surrounding areas.  Northumberland County Council is setting up a taskforce to help the workers.
Please sign and share the following petition in support of Jus-Rol Workers  -  Yours support is greatly appreciated.