Third Report - Social care: funding and workforce

Select Committee
Health and Social Care Committee HC 206 22 October 2020
Report Status Government responded
Conclusions & Recommendations 21 items (20 recs)
Source View on Parliament website
Government Response (AI assessment · 21 of 21 classified)
Accepted 5
Accepted in Part 2
Acknowledged 5
Deferred 7
Not Addressed 1
Rejected 1
Government response
Social care: funding and workforce: Government Response to the Committee's Third Report of Session 2019-21 · published 17 Feb 2021
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Recommendations & Conclusions

5 results
4 Recommendation Acknowledged
Para 36
We believe the starting point must be an increase in annual funding of £3.9 bn...
Recommendation
We believe the starting point must be an increase in annual funding of £3.9 bn by 2023–24 to meet demographic changes and planned increases in the National Living Wage. However such an increase alone will not address shortfalls in the … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government references current funding levels and additional COVID-19 funding, stating a commitment to a sustainable social care system and improving quality, but does not commit to the specific £3.9bn funding increase recommended by the committee.
Department of Health and Social Care
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9 Recommendation Acknowledged
Para 54
We welcome the Government’s commitment to bringing forward a long-term solution to low pay in...
Recommendation
We welcome the Government’s commitment to bringing forward a long-term solution to low pay in social care. It is essential that this solution provides a sustainable basis for continued rises in pay above and beyond increases to the National Minimum … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the need for a sustainable social care model and fair pay but highlights that providers set pay and local authorities determine rates. It does not commit to specific pay rises above minimum wage or in line with NHS staff, stating it will consider all options for the sector.
Department of Health and Social Care
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10 Recommendation Acknowledged
Para 55
The Government must use the forthcoming Spending Review to ensure that there is a sustainable...
Recommendation
The Government must use the forthcoming Spending Review to ensure that there is a sustainable funding settlement to provide for competitive pay for social care workers which ensures parity with NHS staff and is reflective of the skilled nature of … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the need for a sustainable social care model and fair pay but highlights that providers set pay and local authorities determine rates. It does not commit to using the Spending Review for a settlement ensuring competitive pay or parity with NHS staff, stating it will consider all options for the sector.
Department of Health and Social Care
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11 Recommendation Acknowledged
Para 58
Inadequate employment conditions undermine the sustainability of the social care workforce and have been brought...
Recommendation
Inadequate employment conditions undermine the sustainability of the social care workforce and have been brought into sharp relief by the coronavirus pandemic. As well as addressing issues of pay within the social care sector, we recommend that the Government bring … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the importance of a sustainable social care model and commits to considering all options for improvement but does not offer specific proposals to reduce zero-hours contracts or improve sick pay provision. It notes that pay is primarily set by private providers and local authorities, and states that discussions with Devolved Administrations have occurred on various workforce topics.
Department of Health and Social Care
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13 Recommendation Acknowledged
Para 67
As part of its long-term proposals for the future of social care, we recommend that...
Recommendation
As part of its long-term proposals for the future of social care, we recommend that the Government work with Skills for Care and the social care sector to bring forward a plan to streamline the training of social care workers … Read more
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the importance of reforming social care workforce training and recognition, pointing to the appointment of a Chief Nurse for Adult Social Care and the "CARE" brand/badges. However, it does not commit to working with Skills for Care for a specific plan to streamline training, improve career progression, align with NHS training, or expand the workforce development fund.
Department of Health and Social Care
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