Leaders press Cameron on social care reform

Council leaders and charities have called on Prime Minister David Cameron to show ‘vision and courage’ over social care reform.

A letter to Mr Cameron in today’s Daily Mail, which has been signed by representatives from the Local Government Association and 85 charities, warns that the current social care system is in crisis and needs urgent reform.

The Government is expected to announce a White Paper on social care reform tomorrow (Wednesday) as part of the Queen’s Speech, although there were reports over the last week that the legislation may be delayed until next year.

‘There is widespread and increasing support for urgent reform – from across society and the political spectrum,’ the letter states.

‘That is why we are calling on you to take forward social care reform as your personal mission, your legacy to future generations. Without this leadership, we fear the fundamental and lasting change needed cannot be delivered.’

A right-wing think tank, the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), has published a report calling for social care funding to be targeted on the poorest people.

The organisation urged the Government to ‘run before it can walk’ and concentrate resources on those who need it.

Shadow care minister, Liz Kendall, writing in today’s Daily Telegraph, said the social care funding reform was ‘too urgent to kick into the long grass’.

‘We want legislation on long-term care funding in this parliament, not simply producing a progress report, which is the Government’s current plan,’ she said.