The report from the joint inquiry by the Health Select Committee and the Housing, Communities and Local Government Select Committee into the long term funding of adult social care has been welcomed by sector organisations, including Care England.
The joint report calls for the introduction of a ‘social care premium’, either as an additional element of National Insurance or with the premium paid into a dedicated not for profit social insurance fund that people would be confident could only be used for social care.
It describes the social care system as “under very great and unsustainable strain”. Ahead of the government green paper, which is now expected in the autumn, it highlights the urgent need to plug a funding gap estimated at up to £2.5 billion in the next financial year, before introducing wider funding reforms at both a local and national level to raise extra revenue with a long term aspiration of providing social care free at the point of delivery.
Professor Martin Green OBE, chief executive of Care England, who was summoned to give evidence to the inquiry where he reiterated the sector’s calls for fairer funding, says: “The inquiry identifies the substantial funding gap and recognises that it needs to be made up now with an immediate cash injection. If the government can find the funds for the NHS, we believe that social care should have an equal opportunity. Given the intrinsic link between health and social care it is nonsensical to resource one without the other.”
“The inquiry identifies a number of very helpful long term solutions, but even if enacted they will not deliver soon enough to stop crisis and closures of care homes across the country. We hope that the government will embrace the urgency of the present moment and press ahead with all the necessary partners to provide urgent support to a sector that is struggling,” he adds.
The National Care Forum (NCF) also welcomes the report. Vic Rayner says: “This report goes a long way towards bringing together a framework for the long term funding of social care and crucially recognises the need to bring together solutions that address the long term care of both older and working age adults. It recognises that the system we currently have is not adequately supporting the needs of our current population, never mind the emerging needs of future generations.”
She adds: “While there will need to be a full debate on the solutions proffered, it is vitally important to recognise that this report has been produced through a cross party committee, giving hope that future government analysis of the health and social care systems promised for the autumn will build on the bold agenda outlined for the provision of a national care service.”
Councillor Izzi Seccombe, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, says: “This report reflects the bold and radical decisions that need to be made if we are to solve the irrefutable crisis in funding adult social care.
“It is good to see these influential committees come together and support many of the points that the LGA has been making on behalf of councils, including more funding to help balance spending on all services alongside adult social care budgets – which now account for nearly 40 per cent of total spend - and recognition of the central role of housing and public health alongside health and social care services.
“All funding options should be up for discussion and a cross-party approach, backed by public engagement, is vital if we are to build consensus on how to future-proof the wide provision of reliable, high quality care and support in every community to enable people to live independent and fulfilling lives.
“It is now time for government to plug immediate sector pressures and then to go on to deliver a sustainable long-term solution to funding adult social care through its forthcoming green paper for the benefit of everyone in society.”
