Source · Select Committees · Women and Equalities Committee
Recommendation 6
6
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 34
Had the pandemic been more clearly under control, we would have recommended repeal of the...
Conclusion
Had the pandemic been more clearly under control, we would have recommended repeal of the Care Act easements at the first six-monthly review. However, the current precarious state of the pandemic, combined with the fragility of the social care system, makes repeal a finely balanced judgement call. Throughout the peak of the pandemic earlier this year, only around five per cent of English local authorities triggered easements to their Care Act duties, and none have been relying on them since early July. There is, however, considerable uncertainty about how the virus might progress through the autumn and winter and what the effects might be on local authorities’ capacity to cope with social care demand.
Government response summary AI-generated
The government states that changes to Care Act duties will be kept under regular review, with suspension decisions based on expert advice and the existing six-monthly review and renewal processes of the Coronavirus Act 2020. They also refer to the Adult Social Care Winter plan for preparedness.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Paragraph Reference:
34
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government · verbatim extract
Acknowledged
Care Act Easements (Paragraphs 34 and 35): WESC recommendation: On balance, and subject to our other recommendations to tighten guidance and increase transparency being implemented, we accept that the Care Act easement provisions may need to remain in place over the winter period. The Government should keep the need for the Care Act easement provisions under constant review over the autumn and winter. It should use its power to suspend them immediately should it become clear that a second peak of the virus has been avoided. Should the progress of the pandemic remain stable or improve, we recommend the provisions be repealed before or at the second six-monthly review in Spring 2021. We recommend the Government state publicly that it intends to take this approach. This would provide greater clarity, and some reassurance, to disabled people and be an important marker of the Government’s determination to fully restore disabled people’s absolute rights to the care and support they need. 21. The changes to the Care Act 2014 duties on local authorities will be kept under regular review and the Secretary of State will take a decision to suspend them based on expert clinical and social care advice, including findings of the Chief Social Workers, in accordance with the Coronavirus Act 2020. 22. The provisions in the Coronavirus Act are subject to a six-monthly review and renewal vote in the House of Commons. They may be terminated early, if the scientific assessment of the pandemic indicates that this is appropriate. They are also subject to a two-monthly report to Parliament and an annual debate. 23. The Adult Social Care Winter plan published on 18 September sets out the clear and robust steps we are taking to ensure the sector is prepared for winter, and that we protect people who need care, such as disabled people. The full plan is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government /publications/adult-social-care-coronavirus-covid-19-winter-
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