Care Bill receives Royal Assent as parliament approves reforms

Parliament has approved the Care Act 2014, ushering in significant reforms to adult social work.

The Act introduces numerous changes including putting personal budgets on a legal footing and placing a duty on councils to provide preventive services to support people’s health.

Care minister Norman Lamb said the Act “represents the most significant reform of care and support in more than 60 years”.

“For the first time, the Act will put a limit on the amount anyone will have to pay towards the costs of their care.

“And, crucially, the Act delivers key elements of the government’s response to the Francis Inquiry into the awful events at Mid Staffordshire hospital, increasing transparency and openness and helping drive up the quality of care across the system.

“Until now it’s been almost impossible for people who need care, carers, and even those who manage the care system, to understand how the previous law affecting them worked. Over nearly 70 years it has been added to again and again and is out of date and confusing. The Care Act has created a single, modern law that makes it clear what kind of care people should expect.”

Read Norman Lamb’s full statement here: https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/care-bill-becomes-care-act-2014