The transfer window has closed. Who cares?

A reported £404m was spent by Premier League clubs during the January transfer window this year. This makes back page headlines, especially for those clubs that have made a move for big name signings to bolster their squads. It's market forces.

In comparison, there is no immediate sign of boosting investment in team social care spend. The only transfers we hear about are those crisis moves into residential or nursing care, or a discharge back home with or without care and support, following a hospital stay. It’s a different league.

While the announcement on 10 January of an additional £50million government allocation towards Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs) announced was welcome news for the sector, the preceding day £65million was paid by one premiership club for a player. It's no match.

I enjoy my football but am a greater fan of having a properly funded and integrated care system where housing is also an active player. How many more DFGs or extra care packages could that additional money alone have purchased? This is a price worth paying.

With the Social and Affordable Homes Programme kicking off in April, the NHS Plan’s goal for neighbourhood health and the Casey Commission tackling the tricky issue of how to fund long-term care, we urgently need results. We are already playing extra time.

The football transfer window may have closed, but it’s game on to score in upcoming budget rounds for more sector resources to meet the growing needs and demands of our ageing population. It's a must win. 

I care. Let's save our supported housing (opens new window).

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If you found Jeremy’s blog of interest, we will be exploring many of the issues raised at our forthcoming regional conferences in Newcastle (24 February) and Bristol (12 March). More at or hyperlink