Prime Minister pledges care reform as priority

The Prime Minister has delivered a significant speech on social care two weeks into his premiership, setting out reform of social care as a priority for his Government.

In a remarkable speech by the new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham spoke with passion and determination, making social care a personal commitment for his time in office. It was encouraging to hear someone at the very top of Government speak from the heart about their personal experience, with such awareness of the realities of care and honesty about the challenges. Crucially, front and centre of the speech was the value of social care as something “so fundamental to life”.

It feels like a new day is starting, so said Baroness Casey - tasked by the Government to recommend reforms - when she introduced the Prime Minister to deliver the speech. The Prime Minister spoke of the many attempts over decades to reform the sector which had failed, saying this was “a major dereliction of public duty that Parliament has not faced up to this of all challenges”. He pledged his personal commitment to “face up to it” and that it will be “a test of myself whether I can bring forward a solution, or I would never forgive myself”, saying he would do this “for my dad and the millions like him”.

Of course, we will need to see action follow from these promising words. There were three announcements made by the Prime Minister in the speech, which are all welcome.

First, the work of the Casey Commission, to recommend how to reform social care, will be brought forward by a year. The review was initiated by the previous Prime Minister and was originally due to report in 2028. This was far too long to wait for change so urgently needed to ensure older people can be supported to live with dignity. We had been calling for the Commission’s work to be expediated, so this is welcome news.

Second, the Prime Minister put a focus on the care workforce, saying care workers “should be the best paid people in society, not the worst”. The Fair Pay Agreement, to improve pay for social care staff (also initiated by the previous Prime Minister), is due to be enacted in the 2028-29 financial year. The Prime Minister said he wants to “look at how we turn the Fair Pay Agreement into a bigger reform to improve the social care workforce”.

Finally, the Prime Minister said cross-party talks on reform were starting immediately after the speech. This is a much-needed injection of urgency on finding a solution that will last not just the life of this government, but for years to come.

Care Rights UK CEO, Helen Wildbore, said:

“We wholeheartedly welcome the commitment and determination shown by the new Prime Minister today to reforming social care. For the older people we support, this change cannot come soon enough.

This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to improve the lives of older and disabled people and their families. Now is the time for politicians to work together to create a better care system for us all.”

Care Rights UK look forward to working with the new Government to bring about this urgently needed reform. Every day our adviceline helps people who are unable to get the support they need to live with dignity, and the family carers who are struggling to fill the gaps. Please help us to continue this vital work by supporting us today.