Recommendation 26

HM Government · verbatim extract Deferred

44. The independent commission into adult social care, chaired by Baroness Louise Casey of Blackstock and reporting to the Prime Minister, is underway. It will engage with people who draw on care, their families, staff, parliamentarians, local government, and the public, private and third sectors to make clear recommendations for rebuilding the adult social care system to meet current and future needs. 45. The Commission will first report in 2026, focusing on how to maximise existing resources to improve lives over the medium term. As the Committee emphasizes, this will enable immediate consideration of phase 1 recommendations upon publication. 46. Truly sustainable and transformational reform will take time, but the Government is already acting to deliver our Plan for Change. Reforms are in progress to support independent living and improve productivity in adult social care. 47. Actions to date include making available up to £3.7 billion of additional funding for social care authorities in 2025/26, a £172 million uplift to the Disabled Facilities Grant—funding up to 15,000 additional home adaptations—and the largest ever £2,000 increase to the Carer’s Allowance earnings limit. We are also legislating for the first Fair Pay Agreement for care workers, which aims to resolve the recruitment and retention crisis in the profession, alleviating pressures on public services in the longer term. 48. The Government recognises that the adult social care system is under significant pressure. The Spending Review allows for an increase of over £4 billion of funding available for adult social care in 2028–29 compared to 2025–26. A reformed local government finance system is essential to support the provision of high-quality adult social care. Local Authorities with responsibility for Adult Social Care will benefit from our FFR 2.0, with simplified funding arrangements that are better aligned with local need.