Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Labour delays social care reform to 2028, launches new commission

Baroness-Casey-Getty

The commission, starting its work in April 2025, will be led by Baroness Casey of Blackstock. (Photo: Getty Images)

THE LABOUR government has postponed a planned overhaul of social care until 2028, announcing an independent commission led by Baroness Casey of Blackstock.

The commission, starting its work in April 2025, will focus on medium-term challenges in its first phase, expected to conclude by mid-2025. Its second phase will address long-term issues, with recommendations due by 2028, as reported by The Times.


Baroness Casey, known for her work on social issues, stated the commission aims to foster a national conversation and develop a long-term plan. “I am pleased the prime minister has asked me to lead this vital work,” she said.

Labour’s decision follows the cancellation of the Conservatives’ proposed cap on care costs. The plan included an £86,000 lifetime cap on care expenses and raised the asset threshold for self-funded care from £23,250 to £100,000. Andrew Dilnot, who designed the reforms, described their cancellation as a “tragedy.”

Chancellor Rachel Reeves cited a £22 billion shortfall in public finances as the reason for scrapping the reforms.

Health secretary Wes Streeting highlighted the need for a long-term solution, given rising care costs. “The independent commission will work to build a national consensus around a new national care service,” he said.

Critics, including Care England and the King’s Fund, expressed concern over delays. Care England warned the commission might produce “yet another report that gathers dust.”

Simon Bottery of the King’s Fund noted the system largely supports only those with the lowest assets and highest needs, leaving many without adequate care.

The social care crisis has been exacerbated by chronic underfunding, understaffing, and a growing demand for services.

Recent data shows more than 130,000 vacancies in the sector, while carers face restrictions on bringing family members to the UK. Unpaid carers, estimated at 10.6 million by Carers UK, fill much of the gap.

The government has also announced £172m in additional funding for disabled facilities grants, benefiting an estimated 7,800 more elderly and disabled individuals.

Over 25 commissions and reviews since 1997 have failed to resolve the crisis. Whether this latest effort will succeed remains uncertain, with critics urging urgent action to avoid further strain on the NHS and social care systems.

More For You

british-muslims

The initiative aims to track incidents, raise awareness of hate crime, and provide better victim support.

iStock)

Government announces fund to combat anti-Muslim hate

THE UK government has announced a new fund to monitor anti-Muslim hate and support victims, with applications opening on 7 April.

The initiative aims to track incidents, raise awareness of hate crime, and provide better victim support.

Keep ReadingShow less
Asian drug dealer known as 'starkcake' jailed for 18 years

Heemal Vaid (Photo: NCA)

Asian drug dealer known as 'starkcake' jailed for 18 years

A 49-year-old Asian drug dealer who masterminded the import and sale of cocaine and heroin worth more than £4 million has been jailed for 18 years, after National Crime Agency (NCA) investigators identified him from secret phone messages.

British Indian Heemal Vaid, of Cheam, used EncroChat – an encrypted phone service for criminals – to broker deals, unaware that in 2020, an international law enforcement team would crack EncroChat’s encryption.

Keep ReadingShow less
Comment: How migration matters in Labour’s economic plans

The Starmer administration is using increasingly hawkish language on immigration

Comment: How migration matters in Labour’s economic plans

GOING for growth is a core mission for prime minister Sir Keir Starmer’s government.

So cutting the growth forecast for this year in half to one per cent was an inauspicious start to chancellor Rachel Reeves’ spring statement. The projection remains below two per cent through the parliament.

Keep ReadingShow less
Donald Trump

Trump announced a series of tariff increases targeting various nations, including key US allies such as the UK and the European Union.

Getty Images

Trump’s tariffs hit global markets, Starmer warns of 'economic impact'

The UK and other global economies reacted on Thursday to US president Donald Trump's newly imposed tariffs, with prime minister Keir Starmer warning of an “economic impact” from the 10 per cent levy on British exports.

Trump announced a series of tariff increases targeting various nations, including key US allies such as the UK and the European Union.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sri Lanka forms committee to address UK sanctions
Anura Kumara Dissanayake

Sri Lanka forms committee to address UK sanctions

THE Sri Lanka government on Wednesday (2) formed a committee to recommend measures regarding the UK's decision to impose sanctions on three former military commanders who led the campaign that crushed the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in 2009.

Health minister Nalinda Jayatissa told reporters that foreign minister Vijitha Herath, justice minister Harshana Nanayakkara and deputy minister of defence Aruna Jayasekara would comprise the committee that would consult experts for the purpose.

Keep ReadingShow less