Baroness Casey hosts cross-party discussion on future of social care

A cross-party roundtable discussion was hosted today by Baroness Casey to discuss the work of the Independent Commission on Adult Social Care and priorities for reform.

Representatives from the Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrats, Green, and Reform UK parties, along with civil servants from the Independent Commission on Adult Social Care, were invited to share views on the programme of work as part of the Committee’s commitment to involve party representatives at key moments.

• Further reading:  MPs say Casey Commission on social care could be “doomed to failure”
• Further reading: Is the Casey Commission on social care another missed opportunity?

Baroness Casey of Blackstock said: “I was delighted to bring together representatives from political parties today to discuss our shared commitment to reforming adult social care. I look forward to continuing to work with party representatives throughout the Independent Commission as we endeavour to shape a social care system that is fit for the future.”

So far, the Independent Commission has met with over 180 people, including those receiving care and support, as well as representatives from national organisations and delivery or provider organisations.

Members of the public will be invited to submit evidence and share their stories and ideas for improving the existing adult social care system over the next few months.

Social care commission will report in two phases

The commission plans to set out a vision for adult social care, with recommended measures and a roadmap for delivery. The aim will be to create a National Care Service underpinned by national standards, delivering consistency of care across the country.

The first phase, which will be reported in mid-2026, will identify the critical issues facing adult social care and recommend medium-term reforms and improvements. The second phase, which will be reported by 2028, will make longer-term recommendations for transforming adult social care.

This plan has received critism from social care providers for first considering whether existing funding is being ‘best used’, when the Health Foundation has estimated a funding gap of up to £18 billion by 2033.

Others believe that The Casey Commission gives a real opportunity to get “off the merry-go-round of reports and commissions, but nothing by way of lasting change” and “transform the social care sector into a robust, equitable, and efficient system”.

Baroness Casey to help build National Care Service

The cross-party group included Wes Streeting MP, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Labour Party, Stuart Andrew MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Conservative Party, Helen Morgan MP, Liberal Democrats spokesperson for Health and Social Care, Dr Ellie Chowns MP, Green Party Spokesperson for Social Care, and Anne Marie Morris, Reform UK Policy Lead for Social Care.

Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, said: “We’ve hit the ground running on social care and are delivering on our Plan for Change by legislating for the first-ever Fair Pay Agreement for care workers, boosting unpaid carers’ allowance by £2,000, and investing £172 million in the Disabled Facilities Grant to fund 15,000 home adaptations.

“But there’s still a long way to go to guarantee dignified care for all. Our ageing society demands fundamental reform in social care which why the Prime Minister appointed Baroness Louise Casey to lead an Independent Commission on adult social care and build consensus for a new National Care Service fit for the 21st century.

“I thank Baroness Casey for arranging today’s meeting, and to cross-party representatives for putting politics aside to find a way forward. I am determined that this government will build a National Care Service worthy of the name.”

Alison Bloomer

Alison Bloomer is Editor of Learning Disability Today.

See Full Bio