Campaigners caution that social care reforms will be too lengthy.
The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services has issued a warning regarding a £1.4 billion gap between the cost of social care demand and the available funding.
Long-term funding and reform of the social care system in England are set to be delivered by 2028, according to an announcement by the government. However, there are concerns from campaigners who believe that the timeline is too long.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting revealed on Friday the launch of an independent commission aimed at building a National Care Service (NCS).
Under the leadership of Baroness Louise Casey, the commission will commence its work in April and release an interim report next year. The final proposals are scheduled for 2028, just before the next general election.
The review is part of the government’s strategy to enhance social care nationwide, as outlined in the Labour manifesto. The NCS is designed to adopt a “home first” approach that promotes independent living for as long as possible and delivers high-quality care.
Additionally, it aims to invest in the care workforce by hiring more professionals, improving working conditions, and ensuring fair wages.
“In the first six months of this government, efforts have begun to stabilize the care sector, focus on prevention, and support carers and care workers,” stated Streeting.
Related Stories
The government’s plans seek to modernize the social care sector in the long term to address rising costs and demand, he further added.
Social Care Funding
The government review will proceed in two phases, with findings on medium-term issues expected by mid-2026 and the final report on social care reform and funding by 2028.
Streeting mentioned that the review will include findings on care costs, as detailed in Sir Andrew Dilnot’s 2011 report. It proposed a more generous means-test, as well as a cap on lifetime social care charges. Initially, the cap was recommended at £35,000 and later revised to £86,000 under the Conservative government.
However, the cap was eliminated by Labour to address a reported £22 billion public spending shortfall.
In other funding announcements, Chancellor Rachel Reeves allocated £600 million for social care in 2025–26.
The government committed £86 million to fund the Disabled Facilities Grant, aiming to support 7,800 additional home adaptations for individuals with social care needs, to reduce hospital admissions and help maintain their independence.
Streeting stated, “Alongside this action plan, we have legislated for fair pay agreements to help fill the 131,000 vacancies in social care. We’ve also provided a £2,300 rise in carer’s allowance for family carers, and have allocated extra funding to social care in the budget. We’ve done a lot in six months but there’s a lot more to do, and the best is yet to come.”
Tangible Changes
The Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (ADASS) has expressed approval of the new independent commission on adult social care. However, it cautioned that the proposed timescales are too lengthy, resulting in no tangible changes until 2028.
ADASS President Melanie Williams highlighted a significant funding shortfall of £1.4 billion for 2025–26, crucial to maintaining current service levels.
Rising costs due to increases in employer national insurance contributions, the national living wage, and inflation are putting significant pressure on the sector, as warned by ADASS.
Williams mentioned, “Many organizations working with our members to provide care for elderly and disabled communities are unable to renew contracts, and staff are increasingly concerned about their futures.”
The association urged the government to use the upcoming Spending Review to stabilize the sector and invest in the workforce.
Hugh Alderwick, director of policy at The Health Foundation, cautioned that delays in social care reform could hinder progress.
“The past three decades have seen numerous reports and reviews making recommendations for social care reform, including government commissions like the one announced today. This has resulted in delays and unfulfilled promises,” he expressed.
“This new commission must act swiftly and build on previous policy proposals,” he emphasized.
ADASS has warned that Labour’s social care reforms are unlikely to succeed without adequate funding to alleviate the current financial pressures on local authorities.
PA Media contributed to this report.
