Source · Select Committees · Health and Social Care Committee
2nd Report - Adult Social Care Reform: the cost of inaction
Health and Social Care Committee
HC 368
Published 5 May 2025
Recommendations
16
Accepted
Require full quantitative analysis for Adult Social Care Fair Pay Agreement impact assessments, including economic costs
Recommendation
We recommend that the impact assessment for any secondary legislation to establish an Adult Social Care Fair Pay Agreement be accompanied by a full quantitative analysis, including the impact on sector productivity, financial costs faced by providers and expected return …
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Government Response Summary
The government commits to beginning the Fair Pay Agreement consultation this year, with secondary legislation and the negotiating body established in 2026, aiming for the first agreement within this Parliament. It also confirms an impact assessment including monetised estimates will be produced once the agreement is ratified.
Department of Health and Social Care
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22
Accepted
Review NHS investment in the Better Care Fund to meet its preventative service focus
Recommendation
We recommend that the Government and the NHS review the structure and level of NHS investment in the Better Care Fund to ensure it is fully capable of meeting its renewed focused on upstream and preventative work. (Recommendation, Paragraph 112) 56
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the recommendation and has committed £9 billion to the Better Care Fund (BCF) for 2025-26, refocusing its policy framework on upstream and preventative work with new performance metrics. It also stated it is considering longer-term reform options for the BCF for 2026 and beyond.
Department of Health and Social Care
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Conclusions (2)
1
Conclusion
Accepted
The current adult social care system does not sufficiently meet the needs of the population despite the efforts of millions of paid and unpaid carers. Financial pressures mean that those needing care sometimes only receive basic support, far from enough to enable them to live fulfilling lives. Despite this, costs …
Government Response Summary
The government recognised the challenges and data limitations in adult social care, stating it would be challenging to publish an annual assessment of unmet need. It highlighted ongoing efforts by the CQC to assess all local authorities and DHSC's funding of a support programme to address identified issues.
21
Conclusion
Accepted
We welcome the new objectives for the Better Care Fund to support preventative services, rather than simply focusing on solving challenges with hospital discharge. (Conclusion, Paragraph 111)
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the conclusion, stating it has committed £9 billion to the Better Care Fund (BCF) for 2025-26 and refocused its policy framework towards prevention and community-based care, setting new performance metrics. It is also considering longer-term reforms for 2026 and beyond.