Former ministers aim to restart talks on social care funding

A cross-party coalition of former health ministers has attempted to restart the stalled talks on social care funding.

The influential group, including recent Labour minister Lord Warner and Conservative former health secretary Stephen Dorrell, have published a policy paper in a bid to get their front bench colleagues talking again.

Talks between health secretary Andy Burnham and Conservative shadow Andrew Lansley to find a consensus on the future of care for older people and those with long-term conditions collapsed last month in a very public row.

The coalition ruled out a system fully funded out of tax but called for the state to underpin a public-private hybrid including private insurance.

They said: ‘Any solution would have to be a partnership between the state and individuals.

‘Recent proposals from the political parties only address parts of the current system, when integrated and comprehensive reform is required.’