Long-term funding of adult social care

Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 4 Mar 2021 Closed: 5 Mar 2024 Parliament page
This inquiry will focus on how adult social care should be funded in the long-term. The Committee aims to understand the extent to which the Covid-19 pandemic has changed the landscape for long-term funding reform since we published recommendations on the subject together with the Health and Social Care Committee … Read more
22 Recommendations
14 Conclusions
1 Report
5 Oral sessions
13 Letters
5 Events
Activity timeline 25 events
23 May
2022
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 5 sessions
Oral Evidence
Alex Skinner · Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Gillian Keegan · Department of Health and Social Care Kemi Badenoch · Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Michelle Dyson · Department for Education
Oral Evidence
Adrian Jenkins · Pixel Financial Management Ltd Gavin Edwards · UNISON Sarah Pickup · Local Government Association
Oral Evidence
Charles Tallack · Health Foundation Chris Smith · Thirteen Group Dr Eleanor Roy · Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) Natasha Curry · Nuffield Trust Paul Teverson · McCarthy Stone Professor Philip Booth · Institute of Economic Affairs Sally Warren · Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) Sue Ramsden · National Housing Federation
Oral Evidence
Brian Dow · Rethink Mental Illness Emily Holzhausen · Care and Support Alliance Fazilet Hadi · Disability Rights UK Jackie O'Sullivan · Care and Support Alliance James White · Alzheimer’s Society Ruthe Isden · Age UK
Oral Evidence
Cllr Tim Oliver · County Councils Network Dr Jane Townson · Homecare Association Jane Ashcroft CBE · Anchor Hanover Stephen Chandler · Association of Directors of Adult Social Services Steve Scown · Dimensions UK
Recommendations & Conclusions
17 results
4 Conclusion Acknowledged
Second Report - Long-term funding …
The Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP said as Prime Minister that he would fix the...
The Rt Hon Boris Johnson MP said as Prime Minister that he would fix the crisis in social care once and for all. We commend the Government for attempting to prevent unpredictable and catastrophic care costs for people and introducing … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledged the concerns around the impact of charging reforms and stated they have provided funding for charging reforms, but do not address the concerns that they have underestimated the combined cost of introducing a new cap and more generous means test, commencing Section 18(3) of the Care Act 2014 in respect of residential care, and the fair cost of care.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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6 Conclusion Acknowledged
Second Report - Long-term funding …
We do not wish to pit the NHS and adult social care against one another.
We do not wish to pit the NHS and adult social care against one another. The two systems are interdependent and each needs to be adequately funded to reduce pressure on the other. Wherever the money comes from—from allocating a … Read more
Government Response
The government recognises the committee’s concerns around the impact of charging reforms on social care assessors and will work with IT suppliers and local authorities, supporting local areas to trial and invest in innovative approaches to reforming operating models and to improving the recruitment and training of the adult social care workforce.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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7 Conclusion Acknowledged
Second Report - Long-term funding …
We do not accept the Government’s position that care providers should not be compensated for...
We do not accept the Government’s position that care providers should not be compensated for employer National Insurance Contributions in relation to the Health and Social Care Levy simply because they are, on the whole, private businesses. We heard again … Read more
Government Response
In light of the new timeline to implement charging reform, the government will be reviewing the delivery plan and considering how to ensure that insights from Trailblazers can be effectively fed back into the development of delivery to refine or adapt our approach to implementation.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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8 Recommendation Acknowledged
Second Report - Long-term funding …
While the Government has provided funding for its charging reforms, we received many concerns that...
While the Government has provided funding for its charging reforms, we received many concerns that it has underestimated the combined cost of introducing a new cap and more generous means test, commencing Section 18(3) of the Care Act 2014 in … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the committee's interest in proposals to improve fee transparency and describes existing initiatives like the Market Sustainability and Fair Cost of Care Fund and the Market Sustainability and Improvement Fund, as well as a commitment to consider changing the CQC registration regulations to require greater fee transparency.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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9 Recommendation Acknowledged
Second Report - Long-term funding …
It is nevertheless disappointing that people currently living in and paying for residential care, whose...
It is nevertheless disappointing that people currently living in and paying for residential care, whose payments before October 2023 will not count towards the cap, will now not be able to access local authority rates until 18 months later than … Read more
Government Response
The government states they agree with the committee’s recommendation for market shaping to include a dedicated focus on outcomes-based commissioning and investing funding to strengthen local authority market-shaping, commissioning, and contract management capability.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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11 Recommendation Acknowledged
Second Report - Long-term funding …
The Government should publish real-time and regular evaluation, both of the trailblazer scheme and of...
The Government should publish real-time and regular evaluation, both of the trailblazer scheme and of the charging reforms when they are rolled out more widely, so that local authorities can apply insights quickly and so that the Government can provide … Read more
Government Response
The government states it understands the benefits for councils of a Local Government Finance Settlement (LGFS) spanning multiple years and will aim to provide a multi-year funding settlement wherever possible in recognition of its importance to councils’ budget setting processes and to delivering excellent public services.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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12 Recommendation Acknowledged
Second Report - Long-term funding …
Given the Government’s investment in the fair cost of care, and our calls for further...
Given the Government’s investment in the fair cost of care, and our calls for further funding and for care providers to be compensated for their employer National Insurance Contributions of the Health and Social Care Levy, it is all the … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the desire for clarity on distribution reform but states that they will not be proceeding with the Review of Relative Needs and Resources or Business Rates Reset during this Spending Review, focusing instead on stability and clarity.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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13 Conclusion Acknowledged
Second Report - Long-term funding …
While achieving a fair price of care is vital, price should not be the driving...
While achieving a fair price of care is vital, price should not be the driving factor in commissioning care. Reforms in relation to improvement and market shaping should include a dedicated focus on outcomes-based commissioning, drawing on existing good practice … Read more
Government Response
The government recognizes the concerns of local government and notes the delay to planned adult social care charging reforms. They will comply with the New Burdens Doctrine for relevant aspects of the adult social care reform programme.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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14 Recommendation Acknowledged
Second Report - Long-term funding …
As well as the desperate human impact on those needing, receiving, and providing care, the...
As well as the desperate human impact on those needing, receiving, and providing care, the underfunding of adult social care has led to many councils having to cut other public services in order to do their best to meet their … Read more
Government Response
The government restates its commitment to the 10-year vision for adult social care set out in the People at the Heart of Care white paper and highlights actions being taken over the next two years to take the next step toward person-centred care.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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17 Recommendation Acknowledged
Second Report - Long-term funding …
The geographical inequity of relying on council tax to provide the majority of funding for...
The geographical inequity of relying on council tax to provide the majority of funding for adult social care is compounded by an out-of-date adult social care relative needs formula. The Government must update the adult social care relative needs formula … Read more
Government Response
The government states that they remain committed to providing care and support in a person’s own home, but have taken the difficult decision to not progress with the £300 million investment in housing, announced in the white paper, in order to prioritize spending on the reforms we believe are most needed.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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19 Recommendation Acknowledged
Second Report - Long-term funding …
Stakeholders have called for adult social care reform for years, and we commend the Government...
Stakeholders have called for adult social care reform for years, and we commend the Government for introducing many welcome initiatives such as around housing and data that could make a significant difference in the long-term. We are also pleased that … Read more
Government Response
The government notes that the Older People’s Housing Task Force will provide an opportunity to consider detailed evidence of the operation of the planning system in supporting housing for older people and whether any changes are required, including in respect of use classes, but makes no firm commitments.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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20 Conclusion Acknowledged
Second Report - Long-term funding …
The lack of information about how the reforms add up to £5.4 billion, why each...
The lack of information about how the reforms add up to £5.4 billion, why each reform was allocated the amount it was allocated, and how funding will be distributed, does little to instil confidence that the Government has thought through … Read more
Government Response
The government emphasizes that local authorities are responsible for ensuring sufficient workforce capacity to meet care needs in their area, and highlights the measures they are taking subject to monitoring and evaluation.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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21 Conclusion Acknowledged
Second Report - Long-term funding …
Given how fundamentally social care policies made by DHSC affect local authorities’ capacity, budgets, and...
Given how fundamentally social care policies made by DHSC affect local authorities’ capacity, budgets, and residents, it is vital that DHSC and DLUHC work together closely on developing and delivering such policies. We were struck by the discrete division of … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the importance of health and care staff and integrated care systems working with local authorities, but emphasizes the distinct nature of the social care sector as primarily private.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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23 Recommendation Acknowledged
Second Report - Long-term funding …
The Government should create a separate taskforce for housing for working age disabled adults alongside...
The Government should create a separate taskforce for housing for working age disabled adults alongside the taskforce for housing for older people. Both taskforces should be accountable to both DLUHC and DHSC and should report to the Senior Responsible Officer … Read more
Government Response
The government points to their 10-year white paper reform vision and states that they will invest up to an additional £25 million for unpaid carers. They are also taking steps towards implementing a new survey of unpaid carers.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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29 Conclusion Acknowledged
Second Report - Long-term funding …
Our broken care system is held up by unpaid carers doing vital work out of...
Our broken care system is held up by unpaid carers doing vital work out of love and pride. The cost to them can be financial, physical, and emotional. The cost to our economy of carers leaving the workforce is over … Read more
Government Response
The government recognizes the vital role of unpaid carers and the importance of supporting them and highlights the Care Act 2014 and Better Care Fund (BCF) as ways they are providing support, and will look to improve the clarity and transparency of spend on unpaid carers through BCF reporting requirements and activity data.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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32 Conclusion Acknowledged
Second Report - Long-term funding …
During this inquiry we heard about a proposal for a national care service, under which...
During this inquiry we heard about a proposal for a national care service, under which health and social care would be delivered by the same organisation. This would be similar to systems in place in Northern Ireland and Wales. This … Read more
Government Response
The government recognizes the importance of collaboration between commissioners and providers within integrated care systems (ICS) and will provide further support and advice to help places develop their approaches where needed, including reviewing ICS boundaries in certain areas.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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34 Recommendation Acknowledged
Second Report - Long-term funding …
Integration strategies should seek to integrate not just health and care but health, care and...
Integration strategies should seek to integrate not just health and care but health, care and housing. Ensuring there is holistic care that fits around a person’s needs includes preventing care needs from arising by having suitable housing, enabling people to … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees that holistic care should include housing and highlights examples of integrated approaches in areas like Greater Manchester and states their Integrated Care Strategy guidance encourages integrated care partnerships to have a joined-up approach to housing.
Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
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Government Response AI assessment · 36 of 22 classified

Total 22 recs + 14 conclusions
Correspondence 13 letters
12 Sep 2023 To committee Letter from the Minister of State for Social Care, Department for Health and Social Care to the Chair dated 28 July 2023 concerning the long term funding of adult social care
Parliament page
15 Jun 2023 To committee Letter from the Chair to the Minister for Social Care DHSC dated 12 June 2023 concerning the Government response to the report on the Long-term funding of Adult Social Care
Parliament page
8 Mar 2023 To committee Letter from the Minister of State for Social Care to the Chair dated 7 March 2023 concerning the Committee's report on the Long-term funding of Adult Social Care
Parliament page
7 Mar 2023 To committee Letter from the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Local Government and Building Safety to the Chair dated 6 March 2023 concerning the Long-term funding of Adult Social Care
Parliament page
21 Feb 2023 To committee Letter from the Chair to the Secretary of State dated 20 February 2023 concerning the Government's response to the Committee's report on the Long-Term Funding of Adult Social Care
Parliament page
12 Jul 2022 To committee Letter from the Minister for Housing to the Chair dated 5 July 2022 concerning the long-term funding of adult social care
Parliament page
28 Jun 2022 To committee Letter from the Minister of State for Equalities, Local Government, Faith and Communities dated 17 June 2022 concerning long-term funding of adult social care
Parliament page
14 Jun 2022 To committee Letter from the Minister for Care and Mental Health to the Chair dated 7 June 2022 following up her appearance before the Committee on 23 May concerning the funding of adult social care
Parliament page
24 May 2022 To committee Letter from Care England to the Chair dated 20 May 2022 concerning the long-term funding of adult social care
Parliament page
17 May 2022 To committee Letter from the Local Government Association to the Chair dated 6 May 2022 concerning long-term funding of adult social care
Parliament page
18 Jan 2022 To committee Letter from McCarthy Stone to the Chair dated 16 December 2021 concerning long-term funding of adult social care
Parliament page
18 Jan 2022 To committee Letter from the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy to the Chair dated 16 December 2021 concerning long-term funding of adult social care
Parliament page
20 Apr 2021 To committee Letter from the Minister for Health and Social Services for Wales to the Chair dated 24 March 2021 regarding adult social services
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