New report from think tank Demos on funding social care

Today think tank Demos has released a new report on funding adult social care, featuring proposals put forward by Conservative MP Danny Kruger.

He is proposing a shift to a more family and community-centred care system, and the report unveils his idea on how care for the elderly and working-age adults could be paid for – a ‘care commitment.’

You can read the report here.

The County Councils Network (CCN) has supported the document, as Danny Kruger understands the challenges county authorities face in delivering social care, and the crucial role local government must play in a reformed system.

In response to the recommendations of the report, CCN’s chairman Cllr David Williams says that it provides ‘food for thought’ and is one of many possible ways to fund care in England.

The report is clear: the recommendations put forward can only be delivered if councils continue to deliver social care.

The CCN has been campaigning to keep care locally delivered. Read more on this here.

Cllr David Williams, chairman of the County Councils Network, said:

“This report contains the type of bold thinking that will be required if we are to finally answer the question on how we pay for adult social care in England, and will no doubt provide much food for thought for policymakers as it is one of many possible ways to fund social care.”

“Most importantly, the report makes it clear that the success of a reformed system is dependent on social care being firmly rooted in local communities. This is yet another piece of evidence that shows why councils should continue to deliver care, retaining their commissioning and system leadership role.”