Logo

Birmingham City Council latest to stop using Care Act ‘easements’

Birmingham City Council has become the latest local authority to stop using the Care Act ‘easements’ introduced by the Coronavirus Act 2020.

It follows Sunderland City Council in returning to full duties, according to the Care Quality Commission page on the easements, which permit councils not to meet their adult social care duties under the 2014 Act so long as conditions are met.

The CQC page says the five councils still using the easements are:

  • Warwickshire County Council;
  • Staffordshire County Council;
  • Solihull Council;
  • Derbyshire County Council; and
  • Coventry City Council.

Derbyshire was recently threatened with a potential legal challenge over its decision to use the easements, amid concerns about a lack of transparency.

Middlesbrough Council was another authority to have notified the Department for Health and Social Care it was operating under the easements but it has already returned to full Care Act duties.

(c) HB Editorial Services Ltd 2009-2022