Bury's social care system is set to be given a £12.6m boost from a government funding package.

The money will be used to improve the borough's social care capacity and help to support the NHS ahead of winter and into next year.

It will come from a £600m pledge the government has made to tackle recruitment and retention in social care.

The funding for adult social care includes a £570m workforce fund over two years, distributed to councils, and £30m funding for local authorities in the most challenged health systems.

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The funding can be used flexibly based on local need, including to increase the fees given to care providers, which will enable better pay for care workers.

It is hoped waiting times for A&E and ambulances will be reduced as part of the plan.

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Bury North MP James Daly said: “It is absolutely brilliant to see that Bury will receive over £12.6m to boost social care in our town.

“The care workforce here in Bury does an incredible job in a sector that is critical to the well-being of local people and this additional funding from the Government is greatly welcomed as we seek to improve care for people in Bury.”

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Care minister Helen Whately added: “Hundreds of thousands of older people, disabled people and their carers depend day in, day out on our social care workforce.

“Care workers deserve a brighter spotlight to recognise and support what they do.

“That’s why we’re reforming social care careers and backing our brilliant care workforce with millions in extra funding.

“Our workforce reforms will help more people pursue rewarding careers in social care with nationally recognised qualifications.

“Our investment in social care means more funding to go to the front line.

“This matters, because support for our care workforce is the key to more care and better care.

"A stronger social care system, hand in hand with our NHS, will help people get the care they need, when and where they need it.”

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