William Eichler 29 April 2019

Green proposes reforms to fix the ‘unsustainable’ care system

The cash-strapped care system should adopt the model of the state pension to help deal with its multi-billion pound funding hole, Damian Green MP argues.

A new study from the Centre for Policy Studies characterises the current care system as ‘unsustainable’ and warns it discourages local councils from investing in social care and housing for older people.

The number of over-75s is set to double from the current level of 5.3 million in the next 40 years, which means the pressure on the care system is set to increase. The immediate care funding gap is an estimated £2.75bn.

The CPS paper, written by Damian Green MP, who as first secretary of state commissioned the Government’s social care green paper, advises that the care system should adopt the model of the state pension to become sustainable.

The Government could provide enough support for a decent standard of care with a new Universal Care Entitlement, Mr Green argues, while encouraging people to top up this provision from their savings or housing wealth via a Care Supplement.

Fixing the care crisis also proposes taxing the winter fuel allowance, diverting savings from the Spending Review, and potentially imposing a 1% National Insurance surcharge on those over 50.

The crisis in our social care system is ‘one of the most pressing issues our country currently faces’, Mr Green said.

‘By combining this new system with an increase in funding we will be able to tackle this most intractable of political dilemmas fairly and responsibly,’ he added.

Robert Colvile, director of the Centre for Policy Studies, said: ‘Social care has been an intractable issue because it is so hard to come up with a system that is fair to everyone. But Damian’s proposals would pass all the key tests.

‘The system would be sustainable, there would be protection against the “dementia lottery”, no one would have to sell their own homes, everyone would have access a decent level of essential care, and those who paid in more would get access to extras such as bigger rooms or more frequent excursions.

‘This issue has been politically toxic, but we need a solution that commands consensus. I urge politicians from all parties to consider these proposals extremely carefully.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Head of Democratic Services, Elections & Monitoring Officer

Harborough District Council
Grade 12 £67,236 – £71,223 plus £3000pa Statutory Officer Allowance
We are looking for an accomplished and proactive leader for our vacant post of Head of Democratic Services & Elections Market Harborough, Leicestershire
Recuriter: Harborough District Council

Residential Youth Practitioner

Oxfordshire County Council
£37035 - £39513
The Move On Service provides intensive supported housing accommodation for young people aged 16 to 18 years who are in the care of the local authority, working to create individual plans for those requiring additional support for their transition towards Witney
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Locality and Community Support Worker - North

Oxfordshire County Council
£37035 - £39513
The Locality & Community Support Service in North Oxfordshire are seeking to recruit a Locality Support Worker to join their Locality & Community Support Team. The successful candidate will be an enthusiastic worker who is passionate about improving outc Banbury
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Social Worker

Durham County Council
£35,412 - £39,152 (pre-progression) / £40,777 - £45,091 (post-progression)
We are looking for social workers who have completed the assessed and supported year in employment to join our Families First teams, working with our Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Social Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 9 £35,412 - £39,152 (Pre-Progression) / Grade 11 £40,777 - £45,091 (Post-Progression)
Are you a nurturing social worker passionate about supporting parents so that children can remain with their birth family?     This could be the right Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner