Source · Select Committees · Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
Recommendation 13
13
Acknowledged
While achieving a fair price of care is vital, price should not be the driving...
Conclusion
While achieving a fair price of care is vital, price should not be the driving factor in commissioning care. Reforms in relation to improvement and market shaping should include a dedicated focus on outcomes-based commissioning, drawing on existing good practice by local authorities. (Paragraph 64) Local government finance
Government Response Summary
The government recognizes the concerns of local government and notes the delay to planned adult social care charging reforms. They will comply with the New Burdens Doctrine for relevant aspects of the adult social care reform programme.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
As noted, we have listened to the concerns of local government and taken the difficult decision to delay the planned adult social care charging reforms. Government response 19 We recognise that our proposed vision for other aspects of social care reform will have an impact on local government. The government will ensure that it complies with the New Burdens Doctrine for all relevant aspects of the adult social care reform programme and will assess and fund any new expectations that fall on the local government sector as a result of the programme, in line with guidance. The government’s New Burdens Doctrine is clear that anything which issues a new expectation on the sector, irrespective of whether it is legislation, guidance, or a ministerial announcement, should be assessed for new burdens. This includes grant funding that may require additional administration from local authorities. Not all elements of the adult social care reform programme will place burdens on local authorities so a new burdens assessment may not be required for the full package of adult social care reforms. 20 Government response People at the Heart of Care: the direction of travel for reform Conclusion 19 – a 10-year plan Conclusion 19 - Stakeholders have called for adult social care reform for years, and we commend the Government for introducing many welcome initiatives such as around housing and data that could make a significant difference in the long-term. We are also pleased that many stakeholders welcome the Government’s vision for what good care looks like and how care is experienced by those receiving care and their families. However, the Government currently has nothing more than a vision. We are alarmed that so much of the detail within the People at the Heart of Care White Paper has yet to be worked out, and that there is no roadmap, no timetable, no milestones, and no measures of success. We note that the Health and Social Care Committee has called for a 10-year plan for adult social care in three separate reports since October 2020.