There were big pluses for local government and upper tier authorities with social care responsibilities in particular in the Autumn Statement. The outcome, certainly for the next two financial years, has been improved far beyond expectations.

That is the glass half full view. The alternative interpretation - glass half empty - is that government has, as in the past, thrown the sector enough of a lifeline to enable it to limp through the next financial year or two, but not tackled the structural problems that continue to constrain and undermine it.