We are facing a national crisis in our social care system. The reality is that funding is simply not keeping pace with demand.

Council tax is an important source of income by which the local authority funds important local services like rubbish collection, street cleaning and road improvement, and adult social care. Last year, Barnsley Council implemented a council tax rise of 3.9%, with half of that going to fund adult social care services and the other half going to other services.

It’s reassuring to know that, should you need urgent medical care, then you can turn up at the hospital A&E department and – even if you have to wait a while – you’ll get seen and treated.