Adult Social Care

Thank you to all the constituents who have contacted me about adult social care. 

While more than 4 out of every 5 people in care receive this from good and outstanding organisations, it is clear that more needs to be done to tackle this serious challenge – crucially by securing a long-term funding solution. In his first speech, the Prime Minister spoke of his determination to tackle this issue - stating that “we will fix the crisis in social care once and for all with a clear plan we have prepared, to give every older person the dignity and security they deserve”. 

The Prime Minister reconfirmed this commitment in the House last week, stating again that:

“I can tell the right hon. and learned Member for Holborn and St Pancras and his colleagues that later this year, we will bring forward proposals on adult social care, so that every person receives the dignity and security they deserve in old age.”

At the Spending Review in November 2020, local authorities were also enabled to access over £1 billion of spending for social care, through £300 million of social care grant, and the ability to levy a 3 per cent adult social care precept. This is in addition to the £1 billion social care grant announced during 2019, and the £3 billion provided to local authorities to address COVID-19 pressures, including in adult social care.

However, the Government believes that money alone will not fix the problem and reform is also needed – and wants to consider ways of encouraging collaboration between health and care services, such as the Better Care Fund which assists local government and the NHS with the implementation of integrated services.

It also wants a level of consensus on social care, such as that which exists about the NHS, across political parties, so that an answer can be brought forward that solves the problem, commands the widest possible support, and stands the test of time. The Queen's Speech renewed the commitment to bring forward proposals to reform social care during this Parliament, and so I anticipate this is something which will be discussed further at length in the near future.

Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.

 

With kind regards,

Fiona Bruce MP