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Social Care Reform
18 March 2021
Lead MP
Barbara Keeley
Worsley and Eccles South
Lab
Responding Minister
Helen Whately
Tags
NHSSocial CareEmploymentBenefits & Welfare
Word Count: 14195
Other Contributors: 14
At a Glance
Barbara Keeley raised concerns about social care reform in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The MP asks for social care reform that delivers a fair deal for staff, ends catastrophic costs for individuals needing care, and expands access to social care services. She advocates for better training opportunities and real career progression in the sector, ensuring all staff are paid the real living wage, and stresses the importance of funding formal care services adequately.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The MP is concerned about the underfunding of social care, which has resulted in a crisis affecting both older people and working-age disabled individuals. She mentions that more than 30,000 care home residents died from COVID-19, while long-term issues such as 1.5 million people not receiving necessary support predate the pandemic. The MP cites specific examples of underfunding leading to inappropriate NHS in-patient units and older people being forced to sell their homes due to lack of publicly funded care. She also highlights the inadequate support for unpaid carers, with only 45,000 out of 13.6 million receiving respite care.
Andrew Lewer
Con
South Northamptonshire
Mr Lewer highlighted the financial struggles faced by people accessing social care, particularly in light of rising costs and insufficient funding from local authorities. He emphasised the importance of providing adequate support to those who need it most. He highlighted the urgency of reforming social care, emphasizing a joined-up approach between health and adult social care, both nationally and locally. He urged against subsuming social care within an ever-expanding NHS and suggested exploring insurance-style funding solutions.
Apsana Begum
Lab
Poplar and Limehouse
The MP expressed concerns about the privatisation of social care contracts, highlighting a case where 21 residents died at Aspen Court care home during the first wave of the pandemic. She supported calls for local authority control over HC-One homes being sold to ensure proper funding and quality of care.
Duncan Baker emphasised the importance of social care reform, especially in light of the ageing population in his constituency. He advocated for proper funding and recognition of carers as professionals on par with nurses, stressing the need to address low pay and improve recruitment by offering better training and status.
Helen Hayes
Lab
Dulwich and West Norwood
Ms Hayes highlighted the lack of support for social care workers during the pandemic, noting that despite the government's statements, many staff members did not have access to PPE or testing. She also pointed out that 4% of local authority social care directors are confident in their budget to meet statutory duties, and there are significant unmet needs among those eligible for care.
Jeremy Hunt
Con
Godalming and Ash
Mr Hunt expressed concerns about the lack of progress made in social care reforms over the last two decades, highlighting the impact of the ageing population and the pandemic on the workforce. He mentioned a report by the Health and Social Care Committee recommending at least £7 billion to address catastrophic care costs, demographic growth, and minimum wage issues.
Kevin Hollinrake
Con
Thirsk and Malton
He supported the idea of a German-style adult social care premium to address funding issues. He argued that there is a cross-party consensus forming around this solution, noting demographic pressures could drive debt levels high if not addressed. I agree with virtually everything the hon. Lady has said. A funding solution is key, because in order to expand capacity there has to be more money. Does she have a funding solution for that? Would she consider a German-style system, which has cross-party support, or would she at least be willing to sit down with a number of people who support that system to engage with the idea? Suggests that there should be a pooled solution, similar to the German-style system of social care premiums, rather than a blank cheque for taxpayers or recipients.
Liz Kendall
Lab
Leicester West
Reforming social care is the challenge of our generation, as the pandemic has exposed flaws in the system. Social care is not treated equally to the NHS and there is insufficient funding for frontline workers who are undervalued and underpaid. Families receive little support despite increased caring responsibilities due to cuts in local authority budgets over ten years.
Bolton South East
She expressed concern about the underfunding of social care by Conservative Governments and highlighted worries that a single budget for health and social care could lead to competition between providers, impacting service levels. She also raised issues regarding patient safety, unpaid carers, workforce retention, and conflicts of interest.
Munira Wilson
Lib Dem
Twickenham
Ms Wilson criticised the lack of action on social care reform despite previous promises. She pointed out that 1.6 million social care workers earn less than the living wage and there are over 112,000 vacancies in the sector. She called for urgent cross-party action to address these issues.
Mr Bristow acknowledged the hard work of social care staff and advocated for integrated approaches in mental health, social care, and supported housing services. He cited a Look Ahead report estimating nearly £1 billion could be saved annually through such integration, improving outcomes and independence for service users.
Central Ayrshire
Paid tribute to social care staff for their efforts during the pandemic, highlighting the £8 billion funding gap in England and the need for an insurance-based model. Criticised the lack of progress on integrating health and social care despite plans announced since 2017. Emphasised Scotland's free personal care system, noting that two-thirds of social care is provided at home. Advocated for higher pay and better conditions for care staff to attract more people into the profession.
Rachael Maskell
Lab Co-op
York Central
The MP called for a state responsibility in social care with parity to the NHS, proposed principles including universal benefits funded by public not private insurance, high-quality care standards, robust accountability measures, and professional wages for care staff.
Rosie Cooper
Lab
West Lancashire
She criticised the lack of proper funding for social care, emphasising the need to transform the cultural perception around it. She highlighted disparities between healthcare and social care, advocating for a respected and valued workforce with comprehensive strategies.
Sarah Owen
Lab
Luton North
Sarah Owen, a former care worker, highlighted the overwork and underpayment of social care workers. She pointed out that women and BAME staff are disproportionately affected, with 82% of carers being women and around 247,000 from overseas. Owen criticised low sick pay rates during the pandemic and called for better terms and conditions to attract more skilled workers.
Government Response
Helen Whately
Government Response
It is a pleasure to speak under your chairmanship, Dr Huq. I thank the hon. Member for Worsley and Eccles South (Barbara Keeley) and her co-sponsor, my right hon. Friend the Member for South West Surrey (Jeremy Hunt), the Chair of the Health and Social Care Committee, for securing this debate on social care reform and the social care workforce. The 1.5 million people who make up the paid social care workforce, and the 5.4 million unpaid carers, do wonderful work, especially during the pandemic. Our social care system needs reform; it has needed it for decades. My party committed to that in our election manifesto. Despite delays due to the pandemic, I reiterate the Government's commitment to bring forward plans for social care reform this year.
The debate included contributions from Members highlighting long-term problems with social care, high costs for individuals needing care (over £100,000), and high turnover in the care workforce. The minister acknowledged these issues and noted her personal commitment to social care reform. During the pandemic, we provided essential worker status to carers, access to support services, ring-fenced funding of £1.4 billion for infection control, and free PPE, testing, and vaccinations. Concerns about requisitioning of PPE were investigated and found baseless.
The minister highlighted efforts to support the care workforce emotionally and psychologically, including appointing Deborah Sturdy as the first chief nurse for social care in December 2020. To address vacancies and staff turnover, we are supporting a national recruitment campaign and working with the Department for Work and Pensions to promote adult social care careers.
Regarding social care reform, the Government is committed to a fairer system that meets people's needs and aspirations. We will introduce an enhanced assurance framework through the CQC for clear oversight of adult social care. A health and care Bill will further integrate services and improve data on local-level performance. Our White Paper published last month sets out plans for these reforms.
The minister emphasised that we must empower recipients to live independently in their homes and communities, enhance information provision about the social care system, and ensure a stable and well-qualified workforce. We aim to tackle catastrophic costs of care and prevent people from selling their homes to pay for it. Conversations with stakeholders will continue as we pivot from pandemic discussions to reform initiatives.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.