“The funding announced in the Spending Review gives little confidence that there will be the ambitious change for social care or relief from immediate pressures.

“Underfunding puts those who need support at risk of facing fewer choices, more disruption, and less stability. We understand the conflicting cost pressures facing the government, but meaningful investment in community services is vital to supporting people to lead full lives.

“Social care not only supports people to live gloriously ordinary lives, it helps tackle some of the government’s biggest challenges. Over 80% of the 900,000 people with a learning disability in the UK want to work, yet only 4.8% are in paid employment. This stark employment gap persists despite over 818,000 job vacancies across the country.

“At United Response, we’re working to change that. Since 2004, we’ve delivered supported employment programmes that empower people with learning disabilities to find meaningful work and thrive and have successfully supported 60% of people into paid employment this year.

“As a social care charity, we understand the conflicting cost pressures facing the government, but meaningful investment in community services such as supported living and day opportunities reduces costs to the public purse over time.

“The government’s aspiration is clear; a strengthened country and improvements for working people’s lives. Social care is central to this mission, but we need the funding to achieve it.”