The desperate situation
In a previous article, I highlighted the urgent need for Labour to present a concrete plan for social care. With an ageing population, the issue is becoming increasingly critical. As of 2024, there are 22 million people aged over 50 in England, making up two-fifths of the total population. This number is rapidly increasing, with the population of those aged 50+ projected to grow by 19.3% between 2024 and 2044 – an additional 4.3 million people. Among them, the 85+ age group is growing the fastest.
The current system is already stretched to its limits, and the need for immediate action cannot be overstated. For a detailed breakdown of the challenges facing the sector, you can revisit that article here.
A long road ahead
Health secretary Wes Streeting has unveiled the first steps towards establishing a National Care Service, aimed at alleviating pressure on the NHS. Key measures include additional funding for home improvements to help elderly and disabled people stay out of hospital and the creation of a commission led by Baroness Louise Casey to recommend phased reforms.
However, concerns abound. While the initial phase will deliver recommendations next year, the more impactful long-term changes won’t be addressed until 2028. For many, this delay is unacceptable.
Caroline Abrahams of Age UK stated: “Even if all goes well the reality is that it will be the early 2030s before older people and their families get substantial benefit from a transformed approach to social care – fully thirty years after Japan and Germany modernised their social care systems. That’s a source of profound regret and it leaves today’s older people and their families to make the best of a system that is widely agreed to be letting many down.”
Criticism from experts
Jane Townson of the Homecare Association described the sector as “on its last legs” while also recognising this as a “desperately needed first step”. A strong social care system is vital if this government wants to fix the NHS; a good social care system enables hospital patients to be discharged promptly and recover safely at home, freeing up spaces in the NHS, where waiting lists are extremely high. Martin Green of Care England expressed concern that the commission’s findings might “gather dust” while the sector continues to crumble. The timing of these reforms, he argued, does little to address the urgent needs of today’s care system.
The proposed timeline for adult social care reform in England has faced significant criticism, with many arguing that the long wait until 2028 for long-term funding solutions is too long. Sarah Woolnough, chief executive of The King’s Fund, stated on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that the timescale “feels far too long” and urged the government to implement measures sooner. Local councils and care providers have echoed these concerns, stressing that vital services, already under immense pressure, cannot afford to wait that long for reform.
In response, Streeting defended the process, promising to “finally grasp the nettle” on social care reform. He acknowledged that the reform would take time, explaining that the commission would be split into two phases. The first phase, set to report by mid-2026, will identify critical issues and suggest medium-term improvements, while the second phase, which will look at the future organisation and funding of care services, is scheduled for 2028, just ahead of the next general election. In the meantime, the government has announced immediate actions, including additional funding for health checks and for care workers to support elderly and disabled people in their homes.
Hidden demand and missed opportunities
Healthwatch emphasised that a well-functioning social care system is critical for achieving the goals of the 10-year health plan as well as rescuing the NHS. The demand for care is only going to rise as the population gets older.
“This commission must address how to both deliver quality and sustainable care for those who rely on it and address the needs of people who may be missing out on support. Expanding the national career structure for care staff and moving forward with fair pay agreements will be a crucial part of it.”
More questions than answers
This announcement, while a step in the right direction, raises more questions than it answers. How will these reforms be funded? What guarantees exist that political will won’t falter? The spectre of past failures looms large – Boris Johnson’s Health and Social Care Levy and Theresa May’s controversial “bedroom tax” serve as stark reminders of promises that failed to deliver real change.
Hopefully, this is the first step towards genuine reform, but the public has heard this story too many times before. Labour’s ability to deliver on these promises will determine whether this is a turning point or just another false dawn for social care.
