Autumn Budget 2024 announcement a 'key political moment' for dementia care

Tim Baverstock, Head of Local Systems Influencing at Alzheimer’s Society, has responded to the UK Government's Autumn Budget announcement. He said:  “Today’s Autumn Budget marks the beginning of a key political moment as the new UK Government lays the foundations for continuing work on its first Spending Review.

“Almost one million people live with dementia in the UK, with the condition costing the UK economy a staggering £42 billion per year, rising to £90 billion by 2040. 

It’s therefore vital that the UK Government seizes this moment to invest in and revolutionise dementia diagnosis and care. 

Autumn Budget impact for people living with dementia

“The Chancellor’s announcements of £600 million in funding for social care and a £22.6 billion increase in the health budget are a welcome first step as work begins in earnest on the 10-year plan for the NHS. It will be crucial for this plan to be coordinated with similar long-term planning on social care.

Additional commitments in the Budget to tackle waiting lists with more operations, scans, appointments, and diagnostic tests, and to increase the Carer’s Allowance threshold, are also positive steps forward, but we will need to see the detail to properly assess the impact this could have for people living with dementia.

“It’s unacceptable that one third of people living with dementia in the UK don’t have a diagnosis. An early and accurate diagnosis helps people get the support, care and treatment they need to manage their symptoms and avoid crisis. 

“People with undiagnosed dementia attend A&E three times more than a person without dementia, but investment in early diagnosis and treatment can generate significant cost savings of up to £45,000 per person by delaying care home admission.” 

Only 29% of care workers have dementia training

“People living with dementia are one of the biggest groups reliant on social care for help with day to day living. Yet only 29% of care workers in England have received any dementia training. 

By funding specialist training, we can equip care workers with the skills and knowledge they need to provide personalised, high-quality care for this complex and progressive condition. 

“This is why we’re calling on the UK Government to make dementia a priority, utilising the Spending Review to invest specifically in early and accurate diagnosis and dementia care training for the social care workforce. This will help prevent or delay expensive interventions such as emergency hospital admissions or residential care, while ensuring people get the vital support they need.”