PrøvGOLD- Free

Councils spend £500m on beds in worst care homes
The Guardian|March 24, 2023
Taxpayers have spent close to half a billion pounds buying beds in the worst care homes in England in the past four years, driving profits for private investors while residents suffer unsafe treatment, a Guardian investigation has revealed.
- Robert Booth & Michael Goodier
Councils spend £500m on beds in worst care homes

In what one family branded "a robbery of taxpayers' money" and Labour said was "scandalous", about £480m is estimated to have been spent on "inadequate" care homes - many rated unsafe and in special measures, meaning they are threatened with closure.

They are often staffed by untrained agency workers ignoring residents' needs and failing to deliver proper nutrition and medicines in dirty and dangerous properties.

Billions more in public cash has been spent on homes rated "requires improvement", many operated by chains delivering large returns for overseas shareholders and creditors.

In all, councils have spent an estimated £7.5bn to put people in poor-quality care homes since 2019, a Guardian analysis of tens of thousands of public contracts and inspection records reveals.

The findings expose "a broken care system", said Sarah McClinton, president of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services, whose members commission council-funded care.

The Relatives & Residents Association (RRA) said state payments to the worst homes were "propping up substandard care" and "failing the taxpayer".

In 2022, one pound in every five spent by English local authorities buying residential elderly care is estimated to have been paid for a home in the poorest categories.

In the east Midlands that rose to almost a third of all public money spent last year - more than £200m. The findings will pile pressure on the government to deliver wholesale reform to "fix social care" as promised when Boris Johnson became prime minister. The 2019 Conservative manifesto promised to "urgently" seek cross-party consensus to legislate for long-term reform, but Rishi Sunak's government in October postponed an overhaul of charging until 2025.

Denne historien er fra March 24, 2023-utgaven av The Guardian.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra March 24, 2023-utgaven av The Guardian.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA THE GUARDIANSe alt
Dupont to the fore as France hand out 11-try thrashing
The Guardian

Dupont to the fore as France hand out 11-try thrashing

If there were questions over France's ability to finish teams off after coughing up numerous chances against England a fortnight ago, they have been thoroughly put to bed.

time-read
2 mins  |
February 24, 2025
Deeply offensive' Outcry at plan for history theme park over links to the far right
The Guardian

Deeply offensive' Outcry at plan for history theme park over links to the far right

Spectacular shows with Viking longboats, Roman charioteers and sword-wielding knights have helped Le Puy du Fou to become the second-most popular theme park in France.

time-read
4 mins  |
February 24, 2025
Livingstone must finally make mark on global stage
The Guardian

Livingstone must finally make mark on global stage

England need more from their all-rounder, who has failed to deliver across five major ICC tournaments

time-read
3 mins  |
February 24, 2025
Met Office warns of danger to life from flooding in parts of the UK
The Guardian

Met Office warns of danger to life from flooding in parts of the UK

A period of torrential rain will cause danger to life from fast-flowing or deep flood water in parts of the UK, forecasters say.

time-read
1 min  |
February 24, 2025
The Guardian

New FBI chief tells his staff to ignore Doge request for details of their job

FBI director Kash Patel has pushed back against a Trump administration move to demand federal employees demonstrate what they achieve in their roles, after government-slashing tech billionaire Elon Musk threatened to fire them en masse.

time-read
2 mins  |
February 24, 2025
Missing Out There's so much South Asian talent out there, so why are clubs still ignoring it?
The Guardian

Missing Out There's so much South Asian talent out there, so why are clubs still ignoring it?

Sai Sachdev is one of 22 players from a South Asian background to have played professional men's football in the 2022-23 season among an overall playing list of about 4,000. He was recruited by Sheffield United from grassroots football at 15, having been let go by Leicester when he was younger.

time-read
4 mins  |
February 24, 2025
'We've put Aughton on the map': Village with five Michelin stars is latest draw for global gourmets
The Guardian

'We've put Aughton on the map': Village with five Michelin stars is latest draw for global gourmets

It has been called the culinary capital of Britain, with five Michelin stars for 8,000 residents. This is not London or Edinburgh, but Aughton, a village in West Lancashire.

time-read
3 mins  |
February 24, 2025
The Guardian

West Bank Tanks Sent to Jenin as Israel Intensifies Operations

Israel has sent tanks to the West Bank city of Jenin, the first move of its kind in the area in over two decades, as troops intensify operations that officials say will last at least a year.

time-read
1 min  |
February 24, 2025
We recognise frustration of booing fans, says Freeman
The Guardian

We recognise frustration of booing fans, says Freeman

Tommy Freeman has admitted that England understand supporters' frustrations amid a chorus of boos during the scrappy win against Scotland, but he believes Steve Borthwick's team are still alive in the Six Nations title race after back-to-back wins.

time-read
1 min  |
February 24, 2025
Rein in ‘overuse’ of joint enterprise law to ease caseload, experts urge
The Guardian

Rein in ‘overuse’ of joint enterprise law to ease caseload, experts urge

Reform of joint enterprise laws can help to solve the crisis facing the justice system, a review of the criminal courts has been told by experts.

time-read
2 mins  |
February 24, 2025

Vi bruker informasjonskapsler for å tilby og forbedre tjenestene våre. Ved å bruke nettstedet vårt samtykker du til informasjonskapsler. Finn ut mer