6. What additional allocations will be made available by the Welsh Government during the current budget round to support the social care sector? OQ55370

Social care plays a vital role in supporting some of the most vulnerable people in Wales. This work is more important than ever. We have allocated £40 million to support the extra costs of adult social care services and are providing payments of £500 to front-line Welsh social care staff.

Thank you. I don't think it's wise to keep mentioning the £500, because that's actually scandalous—how that figure has actually materialised. 

Now, the Welsh Government has confirmed extension of the adult social care element of the local authority hardship fund to cover the whole of June. Will you provide an extension for July and August to give certainty to our local authorities? Longer term assurances are needed also. An elderly mentally infirm home in Powys receives a weekly fee of £559, whereas, in Cardiff, the figure is £793.48. That's £12,192.96 more for every resident than in Powys over the course of the year. This variation across Wales is disgraceful. So, will you consider supporting an inquiry into this fee variation, and will you work with colleagues to see fairness in funding for homes across Wales? Diolch.

Thank you very much for raising that. You'll be aware that there has been an inter-ministerial group on paying for social care that has been meeting over the past number of years now to consider the ways forward. We're very aware of those differentials in the payment that is received in different areas. Some of it is very difficult, I think, to explain. That work is still ongoing despite the crisis, because we recognise how important it is that we gather all of the evidence that's needed so that decisions can be made about the appropriate way to pay for care in future.

But, in terms of the response to the immediate crisis, again, I have earmarked additional funding for social care in respect of the additional pressures that local authorities are facing, and we're starting to get those figures in for the claims thus far. So, I'll be able to understand what the pressure might be over this month and the next months to get a better idea of what's required.