Adult Social Care Precept

What is the Adult Social Care precept?

In response to funding pressures on adult social care services, in 2016/17 the government introduced the Adults Social Care (ASC) Precept, which allowed Councils that provide social care to adults to increase their share of Council Tax by up to an extra 2% (above the referendum threshold). Between 2017/18 and 2019/20 ASC precept increases of up to 3% were allowed, but the total increase over the 3 years could not exceed 6%. This was subsequently extended with permitted ASC precept increases being up to: 2% in 2020/21; 3% in 2021/22; 1% in 2022/23 and 2% in 2023/24 and 2024/25. For 2025/26 the ASC Precept can be increased by up to 2%.

We (Telford & Wrekin council) took the decision to increase the Adults Social Care Precept each year by 2% between 2016/17 and 2020/21, by 3% in 2021/22, by 1% in 2022/23 and by 2% in 2023/24, 2024/25 and 2025/26.

The income generated from this charge is ring-fenced, meaning it can only be used for Adult Social Care services.

How do we ensure this precept is spent on Adult Social Care?

As part of the process of setting our budget the Chief Finance Officer is required to confirm in writing to Central Government that we will use the income generated from the Adult social Care precept to fund Adult Social Care Services. The budget for Adult Social Care must increase from what it would otherwise have been by at least the amount raised by this precept. 

View more information on the Adult Social Care services that we provide.

In 2025/26, Telford & Wrekin Council increased council tax by 4.99%, which was made up of 2.99% general increase plus the allowed 2% ASC Precept.

Please note: Council Tax Regulations were updated in February 2025 and with effect 2025/26 the ASC Precept is no longer shown separately on Council Tax bills.

Last updated: 07/03/2025 14:46