Members can read exclusive and in-depth monthly political and regulatory reports in the members’ lounge, including insights from chair David Burrowes, but below is a summary on adult social care reform from public affairs manager Simon Posner.
The government has set out its plans for adult social care reform. A white paper entitled People at the Heart of Care: adult social care reform sets out an ambitious 10-year plan for how the government will transform support and care in England. It says the plan puts people at its heart and revolves around three objectives:
- People have choice, control, and support to live independent lives.
- People can access outstanding quality and tailored care and support.
- People find adult social care fair and accessible.
A key element of the white paper is the ambition for people to have choice over their housing arrangements, and therefore make “every decision about care a decision about housing”.
The proposals are backed by the new health and care levy announced in September, of which £5.4 billion is being invested into adult social care over the next three years. Beyond this, the Government say an increasing share of funding raised by the levy will be spent on social care in England. In addition:
- From next April businesses, employees and the self-employed would have to pay an extra 1.25% on earnings to cover health and social care costs
- From 2023, people over 66 will pay a levy on earnings as well
- From October 2023 there will be a cap on care costs of £86,000 over a person’s lifetime
- All people with assets worth less than £20k will be fully covered and those with assets between £20K and £100k will be subsidised
There can be little doubt that the issue of later life lending will gain a higher political profile over the coming months. Equity release will also have a role to play in the Government’s Green Agenda which is very much centre–stage at present.
The Council issues political and regulatory reports and blogs each month, which members can read here.
For more information contact our public affairs manager via [email protected].
