Social care funding reform ‘at least 18 months away’

The long-awaited reform of social care funding in England has been delayed – and is now unlikely to materialise until late next year, it has been reported.

The Financial Times said it had learnt that no Bill will be brought forward in the coming session of parliament, contrary to promises made by the coalition government nearly two years ago.

It said ministers had been given “drafting authority” to prepare legislation, which will not be formally introduced until the 2013-14 parliamentary session, and “is unlikely to become law any earlier than late next year “

A Department of Health spokeswoman said she could not pre-empt the Queen’s Speech, due on 9 May, which will set out the legislative agenda for the coming parliamentary session.

But she said the government is still planning to publish a White Paper on social care reform soon. The FT reported that this has been pushed back to June.

Last year, the Commission on Funding of Care and Support, led by economist Andrew Dilnot, recommended a major overhaul of social care funding, including a cap of around £35,000 on personal care costs, above which the state would pay.

However, ministers remain divided on the issue of social care reform – particularly given the extra £1.7 billion it would cost the government each year to fund Dilnot’s plan.

Michelle Mitchell, charity director of Age UK, said: “We strongly urge the government to stick to its coalition commitments. If it fails to do so, it would be a significant betrayal of some of the most vulnerable people in society including older and disabled people and their carers.”

Meanwhile, Steve Groves, chief executive of Partnership, which specialises in financial products for older people, told the FT: “It [the coalition] wouldn’t be the first government to start with the best of intentions and hit the icy buffers of reality in this area; it has almost become a rite of passage for a succession of UK administrations.”