The three co-chairs of the Care and Support Alliance; Caroline Abrahams CBE, Charity Director at Age UK, Jackie O’Sullivan, Executive Director of Strategy and Influence at Mencap, Emily Holzhausen CBE, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at Carers UK, said: 

“In last year’s election we called on politicians to show us they care about social care and the 2.6 million people in England who go without the support they need. So, we are delighted that Baroness Louise Casey has been announced to lead a new independent commission on how to finally create a National Care Service.

“For older people, disabled people and their unpaid carers up and down the country, what matters most urgently is the here and now.

“There will be some fundamental long term questions to be answered, including long-term sustainable footing for social care. But any decision that can be taken earlier, must be. We hope Baroness Casey will bravely tackle the starkest issues facing social care in her first phase of the commission, underpinned by the Government’s upcoming spending review, leading to concrete change in people’s lives.

“The simple truth is, if the Government wants to achieve its missions for society, it can’t do it without fixing social care. But more importantly, millions of people in our country who need the social care system to support their health, wellbeing, work, and relationships, can’t wait another generation for change. Our hopes are high, as are the stakes. The Government has to deliver.”