Government announce delay to social care reform 

The Government has today announced the formation of an independent commission to reform the provision of adult social care. This will include a plan for a National Care Service, which was an election manifesto pledge for Labour.  

The work of the commission will be split into two phases:  

Phase 1, due by mid-2026, is intended to identify critical issues and recommend medium term improvements.  

Phase 2, due by 2028, will look at longer term improvements to be made to the organisation and funding of the care sector.  

The commission will be chaired by Baroness Louise Casey and opposition parties have been invited to take part in the commission to build cross party consensus and ensure the longevity of plans once they are implemented.  

Writing for the Guardian, Health Secretary Wes Streeting has acknowledged that the social care system is currently failing and that social care costs are likely to double by 2038, meaning many more people are likely to be left without the care they need and in turn, adding further pressure on the also struggling NHS. Streeting also acknowledges that there is ‘no solution to the crisis in the NHS that doesn’t include a solution for social care’.  

Although the formation of the commission and the scope of the report appears to be generally welcomed by the sector, there is understandably concern around the lengthy timetable given the immediate and critical pressures which are being faced by care providers due to increasing demand, under funding, and staff shortages.  

Greg Allan, Partner and Head of Independent Healthcare at Birketts added: “The announcement of the Government’s decision to delay social care reform until 2028 will no doubt spark further criticism and commentary that the sector is overlooked, particularly given the intensifying pressures on the sector. With substantial underfunding, a shortage of workforce and increasing demands for services, care providers and operators will continue to stress that the delay risks leaving vulnerable individuals without the support and care they desperately need. While the commissioning of an independent review demonstrates a recognition of the problem, operators will argue more decisive, and prompt action is required to support and transform the sector. The delay will mean near the whole term of parliament will have elapsed without reform, likely to give rise to questions over the commitment to address the sectors need and concerns.” 

Alongside its announcement regarding the commission, the Government announced some more immediate measures, including:  

– An £86m boost to the Disabled Facilities Grant, increasing the total to £711m for 2024-25. The funds will support home adaptations for older and disabled people with the aim of increasing their independence and reducing hospitalisations. 

– Plans to train social care staff in basic health checks aim to reduce NHS pressures, though it is unclear at this stage just how this will be implemented given the staffing crisis in the social care sector and the large workload already faced by care workers.  

– Formation of a digital platform to allow sharing of medical information between care providers and the NHS.  

Whilst this appears to be a step in the right direction, stakeholders stress the need for more immediate solutions to alleviate pressures and support those in urgent need. The debate underscores the complexity of achieving sustainable long-term reform in a sector which has been struggling for some time and is in need of significant and immediate support in the interim to ensure that individuals in need of care are able to access it.