SERVE welcomes Budget focus on prevention but says families need help sooner

Northamptonshire charity says Budget must lead to dependable support for unpaid carers and local community services.

SERVE has welcomed Chancellor John Healey’s commitment to protecting spending on prevention, but says families and charities need to know when the announcements will translate into practical help.

Highlighted in the Northants Telegraph last week, the charity called for better support for unpaid carers, more dependable funding for charities and investment in local partnerships that help people stay healthy and independent.

Wednesday’s Budget takes steps towards some of those aims, although important changes will take years to arrive.

Tony Gibbs, Chief Executive of SERVE, said: “Last week, we asked the Chancellor to help communities keep people well, support families who care for loved ones and give local services the stability to do their jobs.

“There are encouraging signs in this Budget. The test now is whether those promises make everyday life better for people in Northamptonshire.”

A welcome commitment to preventing problems

The Government plans to introduce a protected category of prevention spending at the 2027 Spending Review. Its purpose is to support work that tackles problems early and delivers benefits over time.

SERVE believes this could help strengthen the case for services such as befriending, support for family carers and help to remain active and independent.

Tony said: “Helping someone get out of the house, maintain friendships or attend an appointment can make a real difference to their wellbeing.

“We welcome recognition that preventing problems deserves investment. We now want to see how community charities can help shape this funding and deliver the support people need.”

Progress for unpaid family carers, but a long wait

SERVE had called for changes that make it easier to combine caring with paid work.

The Budget confirms plans to end the sudden loss of Carer’s Allowance when earnings cross the weekly limit. Instead, the allowance will reduce by £1 for every £1 earned above that limit. However, the change is planned for 2030–31.

Tony said: “This addresses an unfair rule that can leave carers worse off simply because they work a little longer or receive a pay rise.

“But families facing exhaustion and financial hardship today will understandably ask why they must wait several years. They also need breaks, advice and practical help to protect their own health.”

Local charities still need certainty

Last week’s appeal also called for longer funding agreements and simpler applications, so charities can retain experienced staff and plan essential services.

SERVE says the next step must be to explain how the Government’s prevention commitment will provide that stability.

Tony said:

“Charities cannot plan dependable services around uncertain income. Funding needs to cover the real cost of providing support and give organisations time to demonstrate what works.

“A promising national announcement must be followed by clear arrangements that local services can actually use.”

Northamptonshire offers an opportunity to put prevention into practice

Through its Communities Working Better Together proposals, SERVE is calling for councils, the NHS, charities, care providers and unpaid carers to work more closely together.

Its proposed Northamptonshire pilot would measure improvements in activity, mobility, falls risk, social connection and independence. It would also examine whether better community support reduces avoidable demand on health and care services.

Tony added: “The Budget’s direction strengthens the case for testing this approach locally. Northamptonshire has an opportunity to show what communities can achieve when services work together around people’s needs.

“Our invitation to government, councils and the NHS is to help us turn that ambition into practical action.

“For the people we support, success means being able to get to an appointment, having someone to talk to, or receiving the help that makes living at home possible. Those are the outcomes that matter.”