Care Services Minister Paul Burstow has stated that an urgent reform of the social care system is high on the agenda. With the current system unsustainable it cannot continue. The Commission on long-term care will have the task of delivering a sustainable strategy which is a fair partnership between the government and citizens.
It seems the Liberal Democrats original proposal will be upheld, in opposition to this the Conservatives had proposed a voluntary insurance, offering people the opportunity to pay a one-off £8,000 sum to cover all future care costs. The commission will consider a range of ideas including that of a voluntary insurance and a partnership scheme where the government would match the contributions of individuals.
Prior to the election the Labour government proposed a National Care Service to take shape over the course of a couple of parliaments with the aim of providing free care for all who require it funded by compulsory contributions.
This was combined with a Personal Care at Home Act, pledging to provide free care at home for 280,000 people in greatest need. The agreement published today by the new coalition government announced that it will not implement the provisions of this act which at the time was heavily criticised in the House of Lords.
Those in the long-term care insurance market have raised questions regarding the Conservatives’ emphasis on helping individuals avoid selling their homes to pay for care given the fact the majority of an individuals equity is going to be tied up in their home.
Many see the only truly feasible option being a partnership scheme with some form of matching contribution. Whatever the outcome there is change ahead and we can expect the landscape of the long term care market to change considerably from the unsustainable model we see today.
