Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether his planned consultation on social care will include consultations with (a) disabled people and (b) disability charities.

We will work to address the challenges of social care for our ageing population, bringing forward proposals for consultation to build widespread support.

The Government has already invested an additional £2 billion to put social care on a more stable footing and alleviate short-term pressures across the health and care system. However, further reform is required to ensure that the system is prepared to meet the challenges of the increasing numbers of over 75s.

To address these questions, the Government will work with partners at all levels, including those who use services and who work to provide care, to bring forward proposals for public consultation. The Government will consult on options to encourage a wider debate.

The Government wants to hear a range of views from members of the public, representative groups, commissioners, providers, those using services and carers as it shapes its thinking. This is why we have set out our intention to consult and will set out more detail shortly.