Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to ensure that adult social care in England is provided free at the point of use on the same principle as the National Health Service.

On 29 July, the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care set out the Government’s plans to fix the social care system, so that it gives people dignity, security and support when they need it most. This includes integrating the social care workforce with the NHS workforce, creating routes for progression, better pay, training and job security. The Prime Minister confirmed that he would bring forward the date for Baroness Casey’s Commission to report back with a plan on how to deliver the National Care Service, accelerating this from 2028 to next summer.

In his statement announcing these plans, the Prime Minister set out the four core principles behind the National Care Service that the Government will build:

• It must allow people to move seamlessly between hospitals, home care and community services;
• It must be fully and sustainably funded;
• It must start with prevention, supporting people to live independently for longer; and
• Citizens’ needs must be at the heart of plans, removing budget battle lines between organisations and making sure local social, primary and community care works together effectively.

In an effort to begin a new discussion on this issue and drive cooperation across party lines, the Prime Minister immediately invited the leaders of the two main opposition parties to meet with him to discuss the plans and mark the start of a new approach.

Also on 29 July, Baroness Casey launched the Big Conversation on Care, designed to ensure that the public for whom the social care system exists can have their full say in its future. This will ensure that, when the final report of Baroness Casey’s Commission is submitted to the Government next year, it will be able to set out a deliverable and realistic plan to implement solutions with the public’s backing, designed in the interests of those that the social care system are there to serve.

Alongside the Big Conversation, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care will chair a new ministerial group to accelerate the government’s response on social care, including workforce, system reform and delivery of the first recommendations from Baroness Casey’s Commission. This will include work towards appointing a Dementia Tsar later this summer to help drive forward much-needed improvements.

To ensure momentum continues on this work, the Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care will meet regularly with Baroness Casey and her team, to track progress on delivering against the core principles of the proposed reforms, as the national conversation and cross-party talks continue.