Oxfordshire County Council in the United Kingdom is considering new charges for transport and support services used by adults with additional needs, as part of a wider plan to address significant budget pressures.
Under proposals currently undergoing public consultation, adults who rely on council-arranged transport to attend community support services may be required to pay a £10 daily fee. This service, which has previously been provided free of charge, is now being reviewed as part of efforts to generate savings.
The council says the changes form part of measures expected to save around £1.2 million annually, as it faces increasing financial strain linked to reduced government funding and rising demand for adult social care services.
Oxfordshire currently spends about £330 million annually on adult social care, supporting more than 6,800 residents. However, officials warn the authority could face a funding shortfall of £27.2 million by 2028/29.
In addition to transport charges, the consultation also includes proposals to revise the Telecare support system, which provides older and vulnerable residents with personal alarms and monitoring devices to help them live independently at home.
Under the proposed changes, all 3,500 users of the Telecare service would be required to pay £9.87 per week, replacing the current system where some users receive the service for free while others pay lower charges.
The council is also considering adjustments to its means-testing framework, including reducing the proportion of disability-related expenses excluded from financial assessments from 35 percent to 25 percent, a move it says would align its policies with other local authorities.
The proposals have sparked criticism from some councillors, who argue that the changes could negatively affect vulnerable residents and undermine the council’s stated goal of supporting independent living.
The consultation process is ongoing and is set to close on June 21.
