Response: The case for change – Why England needs a new care and support system - November 2008
The Government has published the discussion paper, The case for change – Why England needs a new care and support system.
It aims to encourage a national debate on what kind of care and support system we want in the future; and what our thoughts are on how it should be paid for.
The discussions will inform the Care and Support Green Paper, which is expected in early 2009.
In the case for change paper the Government says that we can expect over 1.7 million more people to have a need for personal social services in 20 years time. This will mean a £6 billion funding gap in social care.
The key issues under discussion are:
- what more do we need to do to make our vision of independence, choice and control a reality?
- what should the balance of responsibility be between the family, the individual and the Government?
- should the system be the same for everybody or should we consider varying ways we allocate government funding according to certain principles?
WRVS response - The case for change - Why England needs a new care and support system - November 2008