Eighty-four percent of UK pension schemes expect institutional investors to increase their exposure to social care, according to a new survey conducted by investment services firm Downing. Responses from the 50 UK pension funds, which collectively manage £102 billion (US$122 billion) in assets, indicated that funds believe investing in social care strengthens their ESG credentials, with 54% noting that the social care sector is “poised” to benefit from institutional investors’ targeting social-related themes. Eighty-eight percent said increasing commitments and pledges from local authorities and the UK government to bolster social care demonstrates “the strong defensive attributes of the sector”. “This potential tailwind could help public and private participants to fund, deliver and scale social care solutions in the sector,” the report said. “This will have the potential to support the wide range of needs our society requires and play a key role in the government’s broader levelling-up agenda.”
