Social care funding debate finally makes progress

2010-03-16 16:54:00

Further to the recent political rows about the future of England’s social care funding, a cross-party blueprint document has now been drawn up which will form the basis of the next round of discussion. The document, signed by social care experts from all three main political parties, builds on the recommendations made in July’s Green Paper on social care. It makes explicit criticism of Gordon Brown’s subsequent and conflicting announcement that personal care will become free for everyone aged over 65 that has ‘critical’ needs. The blueprint focuses on 10 core principles for reforming the existing system in a way that can be realistically funded. In line with the Green Paper, it sets out a funding model based on contributions from both the state and individuals. As the population ages, the burden of future cost will be spread across general taxation or some type of insurance scheme. The proposal of a one-off payment to be made on retirement or after death will not be used as a starting point for discussion, although lump sum payments of this kind could form part of an individual’s insurance contributions. Overall, the blueprint’s signatories conclude that any future system ‘must be predicated on choice.’