Government consultation on care and support
The Government is holding a consultation on reform of adult care and support in England, ending November 2008.
Full proposals can be found and responses left online at
http://www.careandsupport.direct.gov.uk
Ivan Lewis, Care Services Minister said: "A national debate on the future of Care and Support was announced by the Prime Minister in May and we intend to publish a Green Paper on a new care and support system in early 2009. Care and support is about the activities, services and relationships that help people remain independent, active and healthy."
"We want to hear people’s views on how we can create a high quality, affordable system in a way that promotes independence, choice and control for everyone. I urge people to get involved - the debate affects us all."
The Government wants a new system that:
- Promotes independence, choice and control
- Ensures that everyone can receive high-quality care and support, that everyone gets some support from the Government and that funding is targeted at those most in need
- Will be affordable for government, individuals and families in the long term
In relation to the first point, the Government would like to increase uptake of personal budgets and we are keen to hear carers’ experiences of direct payments/personal budgets being given to the people they care for. If you would like to share these with us, please post on our Discussion Boards or email us at web@carers.org with the title 'care and support'
The Government does not seem to consider free personal care for older people or other groups a possibility. Rather, they appear to favour an insurance system to provide funds for care and support later in life. It is vital that carers, many of whom cannot earn, are not penalised for not contributing to any insurance/savings scheme when it comes to their own entitlements in later life.
The Government seems to favour some form of support for all whilst also targeting resources at those who need them most. They are seeking responses on how this to be achieved and the role of means-testing.
Read the full document: 
Trust Guidance Care Support Consultation (191 KB)