A cross-party group of members of parliament has issued a warning stating that efforts to reform adult social care will fail unless the government acknowledges the necessity for significant investment. They argue that the current social care system is “broken” and in dire need of an overhaul to address the needs of millions of people.
Historically, successive governments have viewed social care reform as a burden on taxpayers and a drain on resources, rather than as a valuable investment in people’s lives, the NHS, and the economy. According to the health and social care select committee, too much focus has been placed on the cost of making changes, without giving adequate consideration to the human and financial consequences of inaction or incremental change.
The substantial costs associated with reforming the system, which could amount to up to £17 billion based on certain estimates cited in the committee’s report, must be weighed against the current annual expenditure of £32 billion on a failing system. The committee’s findings indicate that failing to act leads to severe consequences, including 2 million individuals aged 65 and above, along with 1.5 million working-age individuals, not receiving necessary care. Additionally, many others endure subpar care, while the NHS and local authorities face significant and avoidable financial pressures.
The social care system relies heavily on the unpaid efforts of more than 1.5 million carers, a contribution equivalent to the services of a second NHS. These carers often sacrifice their jobs to care for loved ones and bear the brunt of the system’s shortcomings.
Just days ago, an independent commission, led by Louise Casey, was launched to develop plans for a new national care service over the course of three years. While the commission has received broad approval, concerns exist that it may simply revisit previous debates and delay necessary changes that could, according to some experts, be implemented within months.
The terms of reference for the Casey review specify that its conclusions must be economically viable and remain within existing government spending limits. This requirement has raised fears among reformers that any changes resulting from the commission’s work will be insufficient.
Adult social care reform has been a variable component of the English policy agenda for over twenty years, with repeated attempts to address the system’s issues being halted due to political disagreements, cost concerns, and a lack of political courage.
The MPs’ report emphasizes that the moral need for reform has never been stronger, but it must be supported by a compelling financial argument. Without this, there is a risk that reforms emerging from the Casey commission will ultimately fail, perpetuating the suffering under the current unsustainable system.
Layla Moran, chair of the health and social care committee, argues that successive governments have avoided making significant reforms to social care, viewing it as an untenable decision. She stresses that inaction, despite seeming like a cost-effective option, will ultimately prove more expensive for everyone.
In response, the care minister, Stephen Kinnock, asserts that the government has taken several measures to address social care, including a £3.7 billion funding increase. He recognizes that further deep reform is needed and that the appointment of Baroness Louise Casey to lead the independent commission is aimed at fostering bipartisan consensus on the future of adult social care.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/may/05/mps-warn-social-care-needs-substantial-investment-to-fix-broken-system
