Deafening silence from politicians on social care reform

Social care reform is seemingly political dynamite with neither the Conservatives or Labour wanting to touch it in case it blows up in their face.  That’s not entirely surprising given Teresa May lost most of her majority in the 2017 election for planning to ask people to pay more for social care. However, this inaction is not acceptable because we are in a growing social care crisis and reform is needed, and politicians are elected to deal with difficult issues.

• It is wrong that since the 2011 Dilnot report on funding care and support commissioned by the Government we have had 5 Prime Ministers and none have implemented reforms. (Boris Johnson came the closest).

• It is wrong that older generations are uncertain about what support they will receive from the state when they need it and younger generations have no clarity on the costs they may need to fund now or in the future.

• It is wrong that another Chancellor's budget statement has passed today and Local Authorities are just left with ever more costly statutory responsibilities but no additional funds.  

Social Care is clearly a very difficult issue with few political wins and it therefore appears there will be few promises regarding it in forthcoming election manifestos from either Conservatives or Labour. This in of itself is not a problem because it is too serious an issue to be embroiled in the inevitable ‘punch and judy’ style politics in the run up to an election.  

Post election, our politicians must come together to agree and implement social care reforms including plans for how these will be funded by the state &/or individuals.