Much of the talk at the Autumn Conference in Brighton has rightly centred on the economy and we, in my opinion, are rightly sticking to Plan A and not being deviated towards Plan B or Plan V.
However, we as Liberal Democrats in government and on the ground have another area of policy in which we can make a significant and lasting change in this parliament. Social Care is not a sexy subject, it is not often at the forefront of people’s minds nor does it command a full chamber in parliament but it is vital to a liberal, fair and just society.
The Dilnot Commission and its subsequent recommendations provide a solution to one of the questions facing us on Social Care; capping the costs that those with assets have to pay for their residential care. But, the fundamental question still remains of who will pay for this and the ongoing gap in Social Care funding. The Treasury doesn’t want to commit to the almost £2bn needed to implement Dilnot. See ideological differences between the Tories and Liberal Democrats for further details! The NHS Confederation says that the money cannot be found from the NHS. I believe the answer lies within both places. The NHS underspend could finance implementation of Dilnot and by deepening integration between Health and Social Care services further, savings as well as service improvements can be realised.
Norman Lamb’s commitment to integration is clear and welcomed but it will require all of our Ministers and MP’s to speak loudly with one voice. We need to make the Care and Support Bill a reality in this parliament before the impetus is lost. We have the opportunity to bring a resolution to this issue which should be vitally important to us as Liberal Democrats, which is important to the thousands who need support and which is vital to establishing a fairer and more just society.
* Simon Allen is the Cabinet Member for Wellbeing on Bath and North East Somerset Council
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2 Comments
“Norman Lamb’s commitment to integration is clear and welcomed but it will require all of our Ministers and MP’s to speak loudly with one voice”, as Simon rightly says above. This was reinforced in a number of conversations I had with him in Brighton last week.
But we cannot simply leave the argument to Parliamentarians. Councillors up and down the country, of all parties, know only too well what pressures the current system is under, and understand the urgent need for reform. The LGA has set out how, on current trends and without reform, there will be little left for most other (universal) services by 2020. Health and Wellbeing Boards have the potential to drive the type of deepening integration locally which Simon also describes, but more is needed.
In every community, there are not only ever greater numbers of older people with care and support needs, but also more and more families and others with a growing understanding of the harsh realities they face. It is up to us as Liberal Democrat councillors and campaigners to lead the charge in next year’s county elections and otherwise, making the case for reform, and ensuring that this aspect of the Coalition Agreement is delivered.
David Rogers is the Lib Dem Chair of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board.
As someone approaching retirement,and making as much use as possible of the 40% tax relief on my AVC contributions – it seems sort of fair to cut this to 20% tax relief and thus help to pay for the Dilnot proposals which I (and others in my age group) are likely to benefit from in the future. Given that my company (Railways) scheme requires all current and future AVC contributions to be taken out as part of a tax free lump sum – I’d put just as much in if the relief was only 20%.