Social Care Review Says Governments Were Asleep at the Wheel
Baroness Louise Casey, who leads a review of adult social care, said successive governments have been asleep at the wheel. Research published by her commission found no one is in charge of England's system.
- 40% more: what self-funders pay versus councils for the same care.
- 1.5 million-plus care staff work across about 19,000 employers.
- England alone among UK nations lacks a mandatory register of care workers.
- £23,250 in savings ends eligibility for council help with care costs.
Why it matters: The Nuffield Trust and Institute for Government found responsibility scattered across departments, councils and private providers. Casey said England is an outlier against countries like France and Germany.
- People with the same condition get different assessments and waits depending on location.
- Casey called Covid-era care home failings a national shame.
How 4 sources split on this story
Where they split: Outlets agree on the findings but differ on emphasis: Covid failings and governance, versus cost and how Burnham will pay.
Center coverage, 1 sources: The center focuses on Casey's diagnosis of a system with no clear stewardship, unlike peer countries.
Left coverage, 1 sources: The left frames the review as an indictment of successive governments, tied to the Covid inquiry's findings on care homes.
Right coverage, 2 sources: The right presents the review as exposing decades of ministerial failure and questions whether Burnham's funding plan adds up.
What’s next: Casey's final recommendations for adult social care are due next summer.
- Burnham plans a National Care Service funded by ending the pensions triple lock.
- Burnham has acknowledged difficult tax decisions may be needed.
- Would abolishing the triple lock raise the tens of billions reform may need?
- Will ministers act quickly on the Covid inquiry's care recommendations?
