A new Whitehall department should be set up to manage an integrated health and social care budget, a new report has said.

Co-written by Former communities secretary Hazel Blears, the report calls on the NHS and local authorities to work together and create a more joined-up system.

Breaking Barriers: building a sustainable future for health and social care, recommends the creation of a new central government department for communities and wellbeing, which will help manage integrated budgets.

The report also calls on NHS England and the Local Government Association to agreement a joint framework to devolve control of primary and community services.

‘Devolution of responsibility and funding for health and social care is a real opportunity to think afresh and to create new integrated models, which save money and improve lives,’ said Ms Blears.

‘We must not miss this window for change.’