Pandemic delays social care reform but discussions have resumed

Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock was questioned by MPs about the government’s plans for a long-term solution on social care reform recently.

In the last session of the inquiry on into social care funding and workforce, the Health and Social Care Secretary said, when asked about delays in bringing forward reform, the Government had made clear manifesto commitments on social care, but obviously coronavirus had delayed longer-term reform. Internal discussions on reform have picked up again.

Earlier, local government representatives had called for a social care workforce strategy and a National Care Wage of £10.90 per hour, and warned of the precarious position of about a third of social care providers who were currently making a loss, with government funding to councils running out just as winter is approaching.

More about the inquiry  There is a summary of proceedings on 8 September on the Committee’s Twitter feed @CommonsHealth