Almost £50m to be invested in Wales' social care sector
Almost £50 million is being invested into the social care sector in Wales.
The Welsh government has said most of the money from the social care covid recovery fund will be given to local authorities.
It is to help them meet the continued problems caused by the pandemic.
It comes after the UK government announced controversial plans last week to raise National Insurance to try and pay for social care in England.
Julie Morgan MS, Wales' Deputy Minister for Social Services, has said "We place huge value on social care in Wales and we ask a lot of the sector.
"It is facing significant pressures as a result of the pandemic and, just like our NHS staff, the workforce is exhausted from working so hard for so long.
"This new funding recognises the challenges the sector is facing and will help to address some of the financial pressures it faces.
"It also includes new funding to invest in priority areas to improve services, in line with our ambitions and commitments."
Care bosses told ITV Wales last month that their sector is facing a "crisis" due to a huge lack of staff.
In August alone, 760 care vacancies were posted on jobs portals across Wales.
On top of the £40 million, the Welsh Government has said the remaining £8 million will go towards "a range of projects".
This includes extending the carers support fund; tackling loneliness in older people and investing in the wellbeing of the social care workforce.
Rebecca Evans MS, the Minister for Finance and Local Government has said she is "fully committed to supporting health and social services to recover from the pandemic and move beyond it.
"The funding we are announcing today is part of a broader package that will help services like these manage the ongoing effects of Covid-19 and deliver high-quality care for people."
In response to the announcement, the Welsh Conservatives say they welcome the increase in funding for social care but say it will not "alleviate the problems" in the system.
A spokesperson for the party has said “Sadly, this is not a plan for social care and will not address the postcode lottery when it comes provision in Wales.
"There is no solution presented here and once divided by 22 councils, the funding is a drop in the ocean.
“Nevertheless, how this money is spent is important and the Welsh Government should ensure this pot is ringfenced with strict guidelines for councils so we can have confidence that it will be used in the intended areas.
“We’ve long been told by Labour ministers in Wales that their grand plan for social care would be ready once the British Government announced its own for England. However, we remain none-the-wiser as to when an actual programme will be presented by the Welsh Government.”