Prime Minister Andy Burnham used his first Labour Party Conference speech as Prime Minister to make a major commitment to fundamental social care reform, promising to build a National Care Service that is free at the point of use.
Responding to the speech, the Co-Chairs of the Care and Support Alliance said:
“The Prime Minister’s commitment to fundamental social care reform is hugely welcome. After decades of delay, the ambition for a modern, high-quality National Care Service, free at the point of use, has the potential to be transformational for older and disabled people, unpaid carers, families and the social care workforce.
“We particularly welcome the Prime Minister’s commitment to start laying the groundwork for reform now. People cannot wait until the next Parliament for things to get better. Alongside developing the long-term settlement, we need action to tackle unmet need, support unpaid carers, stabilise services and build a properly valued and rewarded social care workforce, with better pay, conditions and recognition for the vital work they do.
“What matters now is turning today’s ambition into a workable plan. There are big questions to answer about what a National Care Service will mean in practice – including who will be entitled to support, what will be free at the point of use, and how we ensure everyone can access the care and support they need regardless of their age, diagnosis, income or postcode.
“It is particularly important that the next stage of reform reflects the full breadth of people who rely on social care. Social care is not only about supporting people in later life or protecting people from catastrophic care costs. For millions of working-age disabled people, good care and support is what enables them to live independently, work, study, maintain relationships and participate in their communities. Unpaid carers must also be at the heart of the new settlement.
“The Prime Minister was right to recognise the skill, humanity and contribution of care workers. A successful National Care Service must be built on a properly valued, fairly rewarded and sustainable workforce.
“The Casey Commission now has an enormously important job in working through these questions. The Care and Support Alliance and our members stand ready to work constructively with Louise Casey and the Commission, Government and politicians across all parties to help turn this ambition into lasting reform.
“Fundamental reform will require long-term, sustainable funding and an honest conversation about how we collectively pay for care. It cannot be a choice between improving social care and protecting people’s financial security. Any new settlement must be fair, protect those on the lowest incomes, and provide the stable funding needed to deliver good care and support for generations to come.”
