England’s social care system has reached a breaking point, and deep reform is needed, according to a new report from the Health and Social Care Select Committee. The committee warns that delays in reform carry serious financial and human consequences.
Cross-party MPs argue that previous governments have focused too much on how much reform might cost instead of acknowledging the damage caused by inaction. “Doing nothing isn’t neutral—it’s an active and harmful choice,” the report states.
UK taxpayers spend about £32 billion a year on social care. Yet, the system still fails many vulnerable people. The burden placed on unpaid carers has grown so large that MPs now compare them to “a second NHS.” Local councils, facing financial strain, continue to allocate a growing share of their budgets to social care, often at the expense of other essential services.
MPs insist that the government must connect social care reform to NHS improvements. Treating them separately, they say, weakens both systems. They emphasize that deep reform is needed to protect the vulnerable and fuel long-term economic growth.
Every £1 billion spent on social care could create up to 50,000 jobs. Each pound invested generates an estimated £1.75 in wider economic value. These figures demonstrate that reform isn’t just necessary—it’s economically wise.
The committee urges the government to publish annual data showing the number of adults who go without needed care and the cost of delayed hospital discharges to the NHS. Clear reporting will allow for better decision-making and accountability.
Baroness Louise Casey’s newly formed commission will lead a detailed review of adult social care. The first report will be released in 2026, followed by a final set of recommendations in 2028.
Minister of State for Care Stephen Kinnock responded by welcoming the report. He said the government has already begun to act but acknowledged that deep reform is needed to tackle the scale of the crisis.
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