The government accepts this recommendation. Recommendation 293 is about the need for planning for future pandemics to have a more developed and explicit consideration of the intense interaction between the NHS and social care; enhancing the prominence of social care within the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC); addressing the relative lack of knowledge and experience of social care within the Department and senior levels of the NHS; ensuring that future policy and guidance relating to the sector is well-informed and reflects the diversity of the sector; and setting out how the Department plans to retain the expertise of the Social Care Taskforce on a more permanent basis. The government is committed to ensuring the social care sector is better prepared for any future pandemic. DHSC has acted to enhance the prominence of social care throughout the Department and senior levels of the NHS and has plans to retain the expertise of the Social Care Taskforce on a more permanent basis. The ‘Build Back Better’ plan sets out a clear programme of reform, proposals for a sustainable funding model, and plans to bring the social care and health sectors closer together to strengthen the provision of adult social care services. This includes: ● A minimum of £500 million to support the care workforce. ● At least £300 million to integrate housing with health and care. ● A new Model of Care Programme to improve access to the services people need and improve the quality of care. ● More choice, control and support for unpaid carers.