Councils with fastest demographic change spend most on adult social care

Adult social care spending varies significantly across our 25 tracked local authorities, from £442 per capita (Ribble Valley) to £724 (Blackpool).

The five councils experiencing the fastest demographic change — Blackburn, Pendle, Preston, West Northamptonshire, and Burnley — spend an average of £612 per capita on adult social care.

The five with the slowest change — Wyre, Ribble Valley, Fylde, West Lancashire, and Rossendale — average £472 per capita.

This gap reflects multiple pressures: older population profiles in post-industrial areas, higher deprivation driving greater need, and the cost of providing culturally appropriate services to diverse communities.

Whether immigration-driven demographic change increases or decreases future ASC demand depends on the age profile of incoming populations. Younger migrant populations may temporarily reduce the 65+ share — but eventually age into the care system themselves.