MORE than £2m will be spent in Cumbria to the ease pressures on social services over the winter months.

Cumbria County Council will receive £2,507,222 as part of the winter social care fund, announced by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Matt Hancock.

The extra funding will pay for home care packages to help patients get out of hospital quicker and free up hospital beds for those in need.

It will also cover the cost of reablement packages, which support workers to help patients carry out everyday tasks and regain mobility and confidence.

Simon Fell, spokesperson for Barrow and Furness Conservatives, welcomed the announcement of extra funding.

He said: “I am delighted that Cumbria County Council is receiving £2,507,222 of funding to help social care services cope with winter pressures.”

“This is part of our balanced approach to the economy - spending on key public services while keeping taxes down and getting debt falling.

“Social care packages allow people to leave hospital as soon as they are well enough, and ensure they can regain independence and confidence at home.

"This funding will allow Cumbria to meet the care needs of more local people this winter.”

Brendan Sweeney, vice-chair of the executive committee at Barrow Borough Council, claimed the announcement should have come earlier in the year.

“Announcing the funding this late in the year limits how effectively any council is able to spend it,” he said.

"The amount won’t go very far to cover the short fall in funding for social services that councils right across the country are facing."