Care & Support West on BBC Radio 5

On Friday 3rd January 2025, CEO of Care and Support West David Smallacombe is interviewed by Nicky Campbell about the independent commission to reform adult social care in the UK.

Listen back to the full interview here

In a significant move announced today, the UK government is launching an independent commission to reform England's adult social care system. Led by cross-bench peer Louise Casey, this initiative aims to develop plans for a new national care service - a key Labour manifesto pledge.

At the heart of this announcement is an urgent warning: without systemic change, the UK faces a looming crisis as its aging population grows. Health Secretary Wes Streeting highlighted that by 2050, England will have 4 million more people over 65, with social care costs potentially doubling by 2038.

The government has also announced immediate practical support, including £86 million additional funding for the Disabled Facilities Grant in 2024/25, matched by another £86 million for 2025/26. This boost will help around 7,800 elderly and disabled people modify their homes to maintain independence.

However, the timeline for reform has sparked controversy. The commission will work in two phases, with an interim report due in 2026 and final recommendations not expected until 2028. Industry leaders, including Nadra Ahmed of the National Care Association and Care England's Prof Martin Green, have criticized this lengthy timeline, arguing the sector needs urgent solutions.

The initiative also includes plans to expand care workers' roles to include basic health checks and create a digital platform for sharing medical information between the NHS and care staff.

While this represents the biggest proposed shake-up to social care in decades, the question remains: can the sector afford to wait until 2028 for comprehensive reform?