Vital Signs: Adult social care & reform

Briefing · Parliament

MPs and peers argue over a national care service paid for by changing the pensions triple lock

1. 01Andy Burnham defended the national care service in Engagements on 14 and 21 October, saying the path to it "involves a change to the triple lock". In her Commons statement on 15 October, Alison McGovern said the Casey review reports next summer and that some improvements can be made sooner.
2. 02On the funding link, Pat McFadden told the Commons on 13 October that the change would save £50 billion a year by 2050. Helen Whately (Conservative) said the service is forecast to cost more than the savings, and in the Lords on 15 October Baroness Stedman-Scott (Conservative) asked how upfront costs would be met. Baroness Sherlock replied that the savings build over time and that costs would be set after the Casey proposals.
3. 03Members pressed for detail on what the service covers. Damian Hinds (Commons, 15 October) asked for the Government's definition, noting it covers personal care rather than residential costs. Baroness Sherlock (Lords, 15 October) said it would cover eating, bathing and toileting, with means-tested council contributions continuing for bed and board. Lord Kamall (Lords, 20 October) said the service would only be enacted after 2029, and Lord Lansley asked whether the Government will commence the Care Act cap on care costs.
4. 04Some Labour members questioned the funding or the delivery model. Brian Leishman and Neil Duncan-Jordan objected to pensioners paying for the service through the triple lock change. Chris Hinchliff, Andrew Pakes and Nadia Whittome asked about the role of private providers, with Pakes asking for co-operative providers to be involved. Clive Jones (Liberal Democrat) set three tests: family carers at the centre, free personal care, and protection from catastrophic costs.
5. 05Unpaid carers and the workforce came up repeatedly. McGovern said a champion for unpaid carers will be appointed. Baroness Hyde of Bemerton, answering in the Lords on 22 October, said work is under way to establish the role. Baroness Merron (Neighbourhood Health and Social Care, Lords, 15 September) cited a first fair pay agreement in 2028 backed by £500 million.