Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting has defended the timeline for implementing long-term reforms to England’s adult social care system, with final proposals not expected until 2028.
Despite criticism from experts and care providers, Streeting emphasised the need for a thorough approach to addressing the sector’s chronic issues.
Streeting pledged “to finally grasp the nettle on social care reform,” but acknowledged the process would take time. The independent commission, chaired by Baroness Louise Casey, will begin work in April 2024, with its final report due in 2028.
Critics, including Sarah Woolnough, chief executive of The King’s Fund, have argued the timeline is too long. Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Woolnough urged the government to accelerate reforms and implement immediate measures to improve the system.
Other councils and care providers echoed these concerns, warning that waiting until 2028 for structural reforms could exacerbate issues in a system already under significant strain.
The commission’s work will proceed in two phases:
- Phase One (2024-2026): Identifying critical issues and recommending medium-term improvements, with a report expected by mid-2026.
- Phase Two (2026-2028): Designing the future structure and funding model for a National Care Service, aimed at meeting the needs of an ageing population and ensuring affordability.
Streeting defended the timeline, saying the government had already made progress during its first six months in office and was implementing immediate measures, including funding boosts and new initiatives for care workers.
The government has announced £86 million in additional funding before April 2024 to help elderly and disabled people remain in their homes, alongside:
- Better career pathways for care workers.
- Increased use of technology and national standards to support independent living.
- Up-skilling care workers to conduct basic health checks like blood pressure monitoring.
- A new digital platform to share medical information between NHS and care staff.
In England, eligibility is limited to those with significant needs and assets below £23,250. Many self-funders face high costs, sometimes being forced to sell their homes to cover care expenses.
The King’s Fund estimates around two million people in England have unmet care needs, while Skills for Care reports 131,000 vacancies in a workforce of 1.59 million.
Streeting has invited opposition parties to participate in the commission to ensure the National Care Service endures across successive governments, mirroring the NHS’s longevity.
Baroness Casey described leading the commission as a vital but challenging task. Known for her straight-talking approach and cross-party connections, she faces the monumental task of devising a care system that balances growing demand with limited resources.
With almost 835,000 people receiving publicly funded care in 2022, and millions more relying on unpaid carers, the stakes are high. Groups like Age UK and Carers UK stress the urgent need for reforms to support families, address workforce shortages, and improve the quality of care.
Streeting maintains that while immediate measures are being implemented, the process of building a sustainable, long-term care system will inevitably take time.
