Back in 1945, Labour’s manifesto included a promise that was both simple and groundbreaking: everyone should have access to top-notch health services without having to worry about the cost. It pledged that in this new National Health Service (NHS), there would be health centers offering the best the modern age could provide, along with improved hospitals and suitable conditions for our medical professionals.
After Labour’s victory, Nye Bevan spent three tough years overcoming obstacles from the Conservatives, the British Medical Association, and even dissent within his own cabinet, to establish the NHS. For over seven decades, this service has consistently provided free healthcare at the point of need, weathering changes in government from Labour to Conservative and back again.
The NHS concept was inspired by the Beveridge report, which identified major societal issues, or “five giants”: idleness, ignorance, disease, squalor, and want. If Beveridge were reporting today, he might add a sixth giant: the urgent need for comprehensive care. The social care system within the UK is faltering. Despite our aging population, access to publicly funded adult social care is shrinking, with a 10% drop in older people receiving state-funded care in England since 2014-2015.
This shortfall is placing immense pressure on the NHS. In November, hospitals were accommodating more than 12,400 patients who were ready to leave but couldn’t due to a lack of community care options. Indeed, one third of these delays were because necessary care wasn’t available outside of hospital settings. Tackling the NHS crisis is impossible without also addressing issues in social care.
Looking towards 2050, it’s projected that England will have an additional four million residents aged 65 and over. If we remain inactive, social care costs in real terms could almost double by 2038 compared to 2018 statistics, leaving many without the help they need, straining the NHS to its breaking point. We simply can’t continue facing escalating costs associated with inaction. We must act now.
Labour faced criticism during the election campaign for not detailing plans for a National Care Service. My candid response was that election campaigns aren’t the best platform for such discussions; historically, they’ve been detrimental to social care proposals. In 2009, for instance, when Andy Burnham initiated cross-party talks on social care, David Cameron withdrew and leaked details to derail Labour during the campaign. A similar pattern emerged in 2017 when Labour countered Theresa May’s suggestions; following that, Rishi Sunak withdrew funding for Boris Johnson’s care cost cap.
In the past 15 years, many worthwhile ideas have been proposed to address this crisis, but what is needed is the right political climate. Our current administration is dedicated to changing how politics is conducted. Today, I’m pleased to announce the establishment of an independent commission focused on creating a National Care Service. The commission will deliver an interim report next year, with final findings at the end of the parliament. It won’t be working from scratch, as it will incorporate insights from past reviews, such as Andrew Dilnot’s work on care costs.
I’m thrilled to share that Louise Casey has agreed to lead this commission. She has worked under Labour, Conservative, and coalition governments, earning trust and maintaining an independent stance. Her role will be crucial in engaging all political parties and the public to build a national consensus on our future social care system and how the National Care Service can fulfill these goals.
Meanwhile, Louise Casey and I have already started collaborating on immediate measures to enhance social care. In tandem with the commission, we’re also increasing funding for the disabled facilities grant next year, which translates to around 7,800 additional home modifications assisting disabled individuals to live safely and independently.
We’ve rolled out new national standards to aid those using care services, along with their families and care providers, in acquiring the best assistive technology. We’re also promoting better integration between the NHS and social care, encouraging collaborative funding and efforts between the NHS and local governments to prevent unnecessary hospital admissions, which is beneficial for patients and more cost-effective.
Moreover, we are enhancing support for care workers, enabling them to perform tasks like routine health checks during their visits. Additionally, by aligning care and medical records, we’re ensuring that healthcare professionals are informed and equipped to provide optimal care.
For those in the care profession, this means learning new skills and stepping into more senior roles, following our commitment to professionalizing the sector. As Keir Starmer highlighted at the Labour party conference, care workers like his sister deserve equal recognition for their vital roles, much like the respect accorded to him as prime minister.
In alignment with this strategy, we’ve implemented fair pay agreements to address the 131,000 vacancies in social care. Additionally, we’ve raised the carer’s allowance for family carers by £2,300, coupled with more funds allocated to social care within the budget. Though we’ve made significant strides over the past six months, the road ahead is long, and our best efforts are yet to come.
It may take some time, but through the dedicated work of Casey and others, we aim to finally address these pressing issues, paving the way for a National Care Service that fulfills the demands of our era, offers quality care to everyone, and endures well into the future.
