A letter to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has launched a ‘campaign of love’ for social care ahead of the Budget announcement on 6 March.

The ‘love letter’ from the National Care Association, Care Association Alliance and Association of Mental Health Providers asks the prime minister to urgently review the Treasury allocation of 24/25 funding for the sector.

Nadra Ahmed, executive co-chair of National Care Association, said: “Our members are based throughout the country and are passionate and committed to ensuring the highest quality of services through respect, recognition and support for the people they support. Unfortunately, the ability to act in this way has been eroded beyond a sustainable position as we enter another financial year and to meet the circa £12 – £14 billion shortfall identified by independent analysts of the sector. We call on the prime minister today to prioritise social care and value our sector for the £50+ billion contribution to the public purse.”

The letter calls on the PM to set out the government’s long-term plan for social care and announce a date for the publication of a national workforce plan.

Lastly, the letter urges the prime minister to “galvanise” the portfolios of ministers responsible for addressing these issues and their real-life impact on the most marginalised in society.

Kathy Roberts, chief executive of the Association of Mental Health Providers, said: “Now more than ever we need mental health social care sector to be prioritised by our government ministers working together. More than 8 million people use mental health services within their communities, we are a strategic partner to local authorities and the NHS. Our call to action highlights the devastation felt by many people when one service closes. There is also a very real human impact when hours have to be reduced to meet the budget demands.”

Melanie Weatherly, co-chair of the Care Association Alliance, said: “We have witnessed an extended period of underfunding and broken promises in relation to social care by successive governments. This lack of support over the past two decades and nominal support throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, have illuminated that no lessons have been learned and the political neglect of our sector and those we support continues locally, regionally and nationally in the aftermath.”

A DHSC spokesperson said: “The government has now made available up to £8.6 billion over this financial year and next to support adult social care and discharge. This includes £500 million announced this January which has specifically been made available to support local authorities with the cost of social care in 2024/25.

“This funding will enable local authorities to buy more care packages, help people leave hospital on time, improve workforce recruitment and retention, and reduce waiting times for care. At the heart of this record multi-billion-pound investment is our valued workforce, which includes improving care workers’ skills and supporting career progression.”