Many of us will require some level of care when we get older, and there is a growing number of people spending their later lives unwell. By 2030 the number of older disabled people is expected to double. In response to existing
challenges in the social care system, the government has announced that it will publish a Green Paper on care and support for older people by summer 2018.
Green papers are consultation documents produced by the government, which allow people both inside and outside Parliament to give feedback on policy proposals. This Green Paper will set out plans for how government proposes to improve care and support for older people and tackle the challenge of an ageing population.
The government will work with independent experts, stakeholders and users to shape the long-term reforms that will be proposed in the Green Paper.
Later Life Ambitions has been a vocal supporter of a renewed approach to funding social care, which will help resolve the considerable issues facing the sector today.
This is why we are asking our members to write to their local MP, ahead of the publication of the Green Paper in order to generate support for the recommendations that our members hope to see. These are:
• Clear action to reduce the complexities of the care system.
• Introduce a cap of £35,000 on personal contributions to care, at which point the state will cover ongoing care costs
• Establish a cross-party working group to take the politics out of social care and agree a consistent way forward.
• Create a dedicated ring-fenced tax to fund social care services.
• Health and social care services should work more closely to relieve the financial burden on the NHS and ensure that patients receive the most appropriate care.
Further information and a template letter to send to your MP can be found here
Please write to your MP and encourage friends and family to do likewise
If you have any questions please contact Later Life Ambitions via laterlife@connectpa.co.uk