Care Support Independence

The Government Green Paper on care and support reform in England will be published in June, it had been confirmed.

The timing was announced as part of Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling’s 2009 Budget.

“Demographic trends will result in a substantial increase in the number of people in need of care and support," the Budget report states. "Delivering a care and support system that meets the aspirations of everyone who needs care, while coping with increased demand for support, requires more than incremental increases in social care funding – it requires a radical rethink of the way the state helps people with care needs.

“Following extensive public engagement, the Government will in June consult in a Green Paper on a range of options to reform the existing social care system and other forms of support, to create a new offer for people who need care and support.”

Minister for Care Services Phil Hope welcomed the announcement, saying:
"The paper will suggest ways in which we can create a care and support system fit for the 21st century. It will outline the options for reform and propose a new system that is fair and affordable and meets the changing demands and expectations of society.

"The stage will then be set for everybody to have their say on our proposals."

The paper follows last year’s extensive engagement with the public and stakeholders on the key issues and challenges facing the care and support system.

“The quality of the debate during the engagement period was incredibly high,  and many challenging questions were asked,” Mr Hope said. “People from all walks of life really worked to get to grips with the many complex issues around care and support reform and the principles which should underpin it.

“This inspiring commitment shown by stakeholders and the public show that there is a genuine appetite among people in England for this reform.  We have responded to this commitment from the public and stakeholders and will produce a Green Paper.”