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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/mar/20/jeremy-hunt-confirms-individual-costs-for-social-care-capped
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| Jeremy Hunt confirms individual costs for social care to be capped | Jeremy Hunt confirms individual costs for social care to be capped |
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| Any new system of funding social care will be capped, Jeremy Hunt has confirmed, in his first policy speech since he took responsibility for social care reform in January. He also pledged to find new ways to support councils struggling to meet the demands of a rapidly ageing population in the green paper on social care due this summer. | Any new system of funding social care will be capped, Jeremy Hunt has confirmed, in his first policy speech since he took responsibility for social care reform in January. He also pledged to find new ways to support councils struggling to meet the demands of a rapidly ageing population in the green paper on social care due this summer. |
| Addressing a conference of social workers, the health and social care secretary said: “The way that our current charging system operates is far from fair. This is particularly true for families faced with the randomness and unpredictability of care, and the punitive consequences that come from developing certain conditions over others. | Addressing a conference of social workers, the health and social care secretary said: “The way that our current charging system operates is far from fair. This is particularly true for families faced with the randomness and unpredictability of care, and the punitive consequences that come from developing certain conditions over others. |
| “If you develop dementia and require long-term residential care you are likely to have to use a significant chunk of your savings and the equity in your home to pay for that care. But if you require long-term treatment for cancer you won’t find anything like the same cost.” | “If you develop dementia and require long-term residential care you are likely to have to use a significant chunk of your savings and the equity in your home to pay for that care. But if you require long-term treatment for cancer you won’t find anything like the same cost.” |
| Asked directly if that meant there would be a cap on what any individual had to pay, he replied: “Yes.” | Asked directly if that meant there would be a cap on what any individual had to pay, he replied: “Yes.” |
| The much-anticipated green paper on social care for older people is due to be published in the autumn of 2018. The government originally promised the green paper before last year's general election, but then said it would be unveiled before MPs' summer recess – although there were hopes it would appear much sooner. | |
| It was also hoped the paper would address needs across the entire adult social care sector. Instead, the paper will be limited to the government’s plans for improving care and support for older people and tackling the challenges presented by an ageing population. | It was also hoped the paper would address needs across the entire adult social care sector. Instead, the paper will be limited to the government’s plans for improving care and support for older people and tackling the challenges presented by an ageing population. |
| There will be a "parallel work stream" on working age disabled adults, but some are concerned this report will focus on getting more disabled people into work. | |
| The government has invited a number of people to advise on the paper, including Paul Burstow, chair of the Social Care Institute for Excellence; and Caroline Abrahams, charity director of Age UK. However, no user or care worker representatives have been invited. | The government has invited a number of people to advise on the paper, including Paul Burstow, chair of the Social Care Institute for Excellence; and Caroline Abrahams, charity director of Age UK. However, no user or care worker representatives have been invited. |
| During a cabinet reshuffle in early January, Jeremy Hunt became secretary of state for health and social care. Despite already having social care in his mandate, the change gave Hunt lead responsibility for the green paper. | During a cabinet reshuffle in early January, Jeremy Hunt became secretary of state for health and social care. Despite already having social care in his mandate, the change gave Hunt lead responsibility for the green paper. |
| The proposals set out in the paper will build on the additional £2bn the government has provided to meet social care needs, reduce pressures on NHS services and stabilise the social care provider market over the next three years. Once published, the paper will be subject to a full public consultation. | The proposals set out in the paper will build on the additional £2bn the government has provided to meet social care needs, reduce pressures on NHS services and stabilise the social care provider market over the next three years. Once published, the paper will be subject to a full public consultation. |
| At the last election the Tory manifesto provoked fury after it proposed making people meet all the costs of care until they had assets of less than £100,000. After a weekend of angry criticism, particularly from Tory candidates, Theresa May announced there would be a cap on the amount anyone would have to pay from their personal assets. | At the last election the Tory manifesto provoked fury after it proposed making people meet all the costs of care until they had assets of less than £100,000. After a weekend of angry criticism, particularly from Tory candidates, Theresa May announced there would be a cap on the amount anyone would have to pay from their personal assets. |
| Hunt and the Treasury are under pressure from councils struggling to raise the money to meet the bill for social care. Many poorer areas cannot raise enough from council tax even at the higher levels now permitted. | Hunt and the Treasury are under pressure from councils struggling to raise the money to meet the bill for social care. Many poorer areas cannot raise enough from council tax even at the higher levels now permitted. |
| This month Sir Stephen Houghton, the leader of Barnsley council in South Yorkshire, said the postcode lottery was turning a historic economic divide into a serious social one. “If you happen to live in a poorer area you’re more likely to receive lower-quality care in old age or if you suffer from a long-term disability. People should be entitled to the same quality of service no matter where they live,” he said. | This month Sir Stephen Houghton, the leader of Barnsley council in South Yorkshire, said the postcode lottery was turning a historic economic divide into a serious social one. “If you happen to live in a poorer area you’re more likely to receive lower-quality care in old age or if you suffer from a long-term disability. People should be entitled to the same quality of service no matter where they live,” he said. |
| Hunt acknowledged “the daily pressure” faced by local authorities and said: “We need to recognise that with 1 million more over-75s in 10 years’ time they are going to need more money, and we are going to have to find a way of helping them to source it.” | Hunt acknowledged “the daily pressure” faced by local authorities and said: “We need to recognise that with 1 million more over-75s in 10 years’ time they are going to need more money, and we are going to have to find a way of helping them to source it.” |
| He laid out seven principles that he said would be the basis for the green paper, including quality, personal control, workforce planning and the full integration of health and social care. But his remarks disappointed those who had hoped for a tax-funded system that would give social care parity with the NHS. He insisted the element of personal responsibility envisaged in the original National Assistance Act 70 years ago would stay. | He laid out seven principles that he said would be the basis for the green paper, including quality, personal control, workforce planning and the full integration of health and social care. But his remarks disappointed those who had hoped for a tax-funded system that would give social care parity with the NHS. He insisted the element of personal responsibility envisaged in the original National Assistance Act 70 years ago would stay. |
| The Local Government Association, which represents all local authorities, said appropriate funding had to be the “overriding priority” for the green paper. “Government should first make a downpayment on the green paper by injecting additional resources into the system to fund immediate funding pressures which are set to exceed £2bn by 2020,” it said. | The Local Government Association, which represents all local authorities, said appropriate funding had to be the “overriding priority” for the green paper. “Government should first make a downpayment on the green paper by injecting additional resources into the system to fund immediate funding pressures which are set to exceed £2bn by 2020,” it said. |
| The Association of Directors of Social Services echoed the call for a long-term, sustainable funding solution to make sure that social care goes from being “something we don’t like to think about needing to something that we actively plan for”. | The Association of Directors of Social Services echoed the call for a long-term, sustainable funding solution to make sure that social care goes from being “something we don’t like to think about needing to something that we actively plan for”. |
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