Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Social Care Reform

Tuesday 13 July 2021 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial commitment to social care reform to ensure people can access care when needed and live independently.
  • The Health and Care Bill is being debated to address long-term, sustainable solutions for social care funding.
  • Government acknowledges the need to address social care for working-age adults, which accounts for more than half of public spending.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Martin Vickers Con Brigg and Immingham
Social Care
Context

The question is prompted by the ongoing debate around adult social care reform, particularly addressing concerns about costs and choices for individuals.

Question

I am concerned about bringing forward plans to reform adult social care. I want people to be able to get the care they need when they need it and to have the choices they want. What progress is being made on this?

Answer from Sajid Javid

I want people to be able to get the care they need when they need it and to have the choices they want. I want people to live their life in full and to live independently as part of a community for as long as possible without facing an astronomical care bill. We are committed to social care reform, and we will bring forward proposals this year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timeline or details on the reforms were not provided

How: We Are Committed To

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Q2 Virendra Sharma Lab
Social Care
Context

The question arises from the lack of substantial social care reforms despite multiple promises made over several years. The debate is about whether these promises will materialize.

Question

I thank the Secretary of State for responding to my initial question. Eleven years into this Tory Government, 10 years on from Dilnot and almost 700 days since the Prime Minister promised to fix social care once and for all, looking at it and studying the options is not enough for the four out of five people who say we need a solution now. Is this just another of the Prime Minister's promises that will not quite materialise?

Answer from Sajid Javid

We have already seen substantial increases in adult social care funding, but the Government have said that we want a long-term, sustainable solution, so we will bring forward proposals on that. The hon. Gentleman will know that later today we are debating the Health and Care Bill, which is also about structural reform.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific details or timeline for social care reforms were not provided

How: Looking At It

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Q3 Mark Harper Con
Social Care
Context

The question is prompted by the need to address social care for working-age adults, which often gets overlooked in debates.

Question

May I just say to the Chancellor that when he brings forward the proposals, will he make sure that he addresses social care for working-age adults, which actually accounts for more than half of public spending? The debate is always focused on older people. When he brings forward the proposals, can we not just default to putting up taxes but look at overall Government spending and set some priorities?

Answer from Sajid Javid

First, my right hon. Friend is right to bring to the House's attention the way that the Government are also working on social care for working-age people. He is also right to point out that around 55% of total adult social care spending is for working-age adults and it is important that we continue to provide that support. I am working with the current Chancellor and other Cabinet colleagues on bringing forward a more sustainable long-term plan.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific timeline or detailed proposal was given

How: We Are Committed

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Q4 Martin Vickers Con Brigg and Immingham
NHS Social Care
Context

The question arises from concerns about the use of DNACPR orders for elderly patients, particularly those in care or hospitals.

Question

I welcome what my right hon. Friend has said so far and the moves he is making to deal with the social care issue. One thing that elderly people particularly are worried about when they are in care or in hospital are the recent reports of Do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation orders. Will my right hon. Friend give an assurance that they will only be put in place with the authority of the patient or their next of kin? Is he making inquiries into recent reports of their widespread use?

Answer from Sajid Javid

My hon. Friend will be interested to know that the Department commissioned the Care Quality Commission to review the DNACPR decisions that were being made during the first wave of the pandemic. The Department then established a new ministerial oversight group responsible for delivery and required changes recommended in the review.

Answered
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Q5 Liz Kendall Lab Leicester West
Social Care
Context

The question arises from a lack of concrete plans for social care reforms despite previous promises. It highlights the human cost and suffering caused by delays.

Question

I welcome the Secretary of State to his new position. I wondered whether he might be able to clarify something for me. Five days ago, he told the Local Government Association conference that for social care reform we may not be able to announce the whole plan with all the details there but that he hoped to set out the general sense of direction. The general sense of direction! It is two years since the Prime Minister made a clear promise to fix the crisis in social care once and for all. Since then, more than 40,000 care home residents have died from covid-19 and 2 million elderly and disabled people have applied for care but had their request turned down. Millions more families and staff have been pushed to breaking point. What is the plan? When will we see the plan?

Answer from Sajid Javid

I think the hon. Lady may well have misunderstood what I said at the conference; I am not sure she listened to the whole session. The Government are absolutely committed to coming forward with a sustainable plan for adult social care and bringing forward that plan to make sure that every person when they reach old age in our country can have the dignity they deserve. We will bring forward full proposals—a full plan—this year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific details or timeline were not provided, only commitment was mentioned

How: We Are Committed

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