West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has written to the Chancellor ahead of this autumn’s budget asking for extra help supporting the county council’s adult social care plans. Worcestershire County Council leader Simon Geraghty has briefed the MP about the rising pressure on social care, with more local residents living longer and Harriett has written both to the Treasury and Health Secretary Matt Hancock outlining the local budget concerns. Harriett commented: “I received a formal briefing from the leader and chief executive of Worcestershire County Council and they outlined their concerns about the current overspend and the impact this may have on the future delivery of services including adult social care. “With people living longer, it is important that we make appropriate provision for the longer term challenges of caring for our elderly and I have made the point to the Government that Worcestershire needs more support. “I’m not usually a supporter of tax increases but I am absolutely convinced that everyone supports extra investment in social care as we plan for people living longer and having increasingly complex health needs. I would back an extension of the social care precept further into the future. “The council already has funding ring-fenced to increase investment in social care and as we enter the planning process ahead of the Budget, I have been keen to make sure that this spending issue is flagged to the Government as quickly as possible.”