Government to set out proposals to reform care and support
First Secretary Damian Green has announced that the government will publish a green paper on care and support for older people by summer 2018.
The First Secretary of State and Minister for the Cabinet Office, Damian Green, has announced today that the government will publish a green paper on care and support for older people by summer 2018. The paper will set out plans for how government proposes to improve care and support for older people and tackle the challenge of an ageing population.
As people are living longer and the population ages, the government recognises the need to reach a long-term, sustainable solution to providing the care older people need. As part of this work the government has begun a process of engagement in advance of the green paper to ensure it reflects a wide range of views and requirements. Government will work with independent experts, stakeholders and users to shape the long-term reforms that will be proposed in the green paper.
These proposals will build on the additional £2 billion over the next 3 years that the government has already provided to meet social care needs, reduce pressures on NHS services and stabilise the social care provider market in the short term.
First Secretary of State and Minister for the Cabinet Office, Damian Green, said:
“An ageing population needs a long-term solution for care, but building a sustainable support system will require some big decisions. In developing the green paper, it is right that we take the time needed to debate the many complex issues and listen to the perspectives of experts and care users, to build consensus around reforms which can succeed.”
Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt said:
“We are committed to reforming social care to ensure we can guarantee everyone dignity and security in old age. It is important we consider a wide variety of views on the future of the social care system – as our ageing population continues to grow it is absolutely vital that we get this right.”
Once the green paper is published in summer 2018, it will be subject to a full public consultation.
Background information
Names of independent experts invited by government to provide advice and support engagement in advance of the green paper:
- Caroline Abrahams – Charity Director of Age UK
- Dame Kate Barker – former Chair of the King’s Fund Commission on the Future of Health and Social Care in England
- Sir David Behan – Chief Executive of Care Quality Commission
- Dr Eileen Burns – President of the British Geriatrics Society
- Professor Paul Burstow – Chair of the Social Care Institute for Excellence
- Jules Constantinou – President-elect of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries
- Sir Andrew Dilnot – former Chair of the Commission on the Funding of Care and Support
- Baroness Martha Lane Fox – Founder and Executive Chair of Doteveryone
- Mike Parish – Chief Executive of Care UK
- David Pearson – former President of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services and Corporate Director for Social Care, Health and Public Protection at Nottinghamshire County Council
- Imelda Redmond – National Director of Healthwatch England
- Nigel Wilson – Chief Executive of Legal and General