Social care takes record 71.9% of English councils’ core spending
Sixteen councils devoted more than 80% of their reported core spending to adult and children’s care in 2025–26, leaving less room for other services.
English councils spent a net £42.8bn on adult and children’s social care in 2025–26, a record 71.9% of combined core spending power among councils with reported data, according to The Guardian’s analysis of government figures. Sixteen councils spent more than 80% on care.
Adult social care accounted for 44.5% of core spending and children’s services 27.4%, compared with 62.4% for care overall in 2017–18. Core spending power combines council tax, business rates and central government grants, and is not ringfenced.
Halton recorded the highest care share, at 92.9%. An official audit published last month found its finances unsustainable despite cuts and asset sales. The council received £35m in exceptional government support this year.
Adult social care alone exceeded half of core spending power in 19 councils, more than three times the six recorded in 2017–18. The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services said councils overspent adult care budgets by £715m and drew up £909m in savings plans.
The King’s Fund attributed rising adult care spending to more people receiving support and higher costs faced by providers. Long-term adult care numbers reached 684,920 in March, up from 613,360 in 2021–22. The Guardian excluded six councils that had not submitted data.
The prime minister has said the government will lay groundwork for a National Care Service after the next election. An independent review of adult social care, led by Louise Casey, is now expected next year and will shape the proposed service.
