Assembly Member for Aberconwy, Janet Finch-Saunders AM, has called on the First Minister to future-proof social services for the next 20 years, as  figures show an overspend of some £383m against initial budgets for 2016-17 [see table on notes with links].

Janet said:

“The excessive overspends by social services departments across Wales indicate a serious issue within this sector as regards the costs and demands of providing these services.

“Many local authorities predict such overspends for 2017-18, 2018-19, and beyond – with Conwy overspending by more than £15.6m in 2016-17.

“With costs predicted to increase by another £344m by 2021, and population projections for 2035 forecasting increases in number of people aged over 65 by 35%, and those aged over 85 by 113%, this is surely a national scandal – and a ticking time bomb which we can ill-afford to allow to go off.

“Our most vulnerable people must be a priority, and I would urge the First Minister to ensure social services budget and forward planning is ‘future-proofed’ before he stands down from his post.”