State-funded care recipients fall by 9% in 2012/13 HSCIC figures show

The number of people receiving state support for care fell by 9% during 2012/13, according to the latest figures from the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC). This was in spite of the fact the number of people being assessed fell than less than 1%, signalling local authorities are further tightening their eligibility criteria(see this issue News). The figures are cited in Community Care Statistics, Social Services Activity, England – 2012-13, which says that since 2007/08 the number of adults receiving help during the year has fallen by a quarter to 1.3m. The axe has fallen most heavily on people receiving community-based services – who make up the vast majority (1.1m).