The Government’s Green Paper on caring for the elderly

Article date: 15.07.09

On the 14th July 2009, Andy Burnham, the Health Secretary announced in the House of Commons the long awaited Green Paper on Adult Social Care.  He is proposing that everyone in England will have access to a National Care Service that is “fair, simple and affordable”.
The National Care Service is aiming to create a level playing field and end the postcode lottery of care services currently affecting those needing long term care. The Health Secretary claims that everyone in England will be guaranteed:

  • Prevention services - the right support to stay independent and well for as long as possible and to delay care needs getting worse.
  • National assessment - care needs will be assessed and paid for in the same way across the country.
  • Joined-up services - all the services will work together smoothly.
  • Information and advice – the care system will be easy to understand and navigate.
  • Personalised care and support - services will be based on personal circumstances and need.
  • Fair funding - money will be spent wisely and everyone will get some help meeting the high cost of care.


Andy Burnham said:
We are proposing a radical reform of care - this is the vision for a National Care Service. More of us are living longer - life expectancy is going up and advances in medical science mean that people with a disability are living longer. This is worth celebrating but does mean we need to radically change the way care is provided and paid for.

“We need a system that’s fair, simple and affordable for everyone. A system that gives excellent care wherever we live and whatever our needs.”
“Everyone will come into contact with the care system at some point – whether it is ourselves or our families and friends. The National Care Service must be shaped by the people who will use it so we want everyone to tell us what they think. Everyone should join the Big Care Debate today.”
The Government proposes to canvas the public’s and people who work in care and support services’ views on what the National Care Service should look like and how care should be paid for. Currently care in England and Wales is not free, unless someone qualifies for NHS Continuing Care, when the NHS will pay for care and accommodation. The Government’s figures state that more than 50 per cent of over 65 year olds will need care costing at least £25,000. Today’s 65 year olds will need care costing on average £30,000. But many people end up paying much more.

Twenty per cent of people will need care costing less than £1,000 – but 20 per cent will need care costing more than £50,000. And people have no way of knowing which category they will fall into.

Under the National Care Service, everyone will get some care for free. The Government wants to hear people’s views on how we balance what it is fair for everyone to pay, against the need to project some people having to pay huge care costs.

There are three proposals for funding a National Care Service:

  • The Partnership Service – the responsibility for paying for care would be shared between the Government and the person who has care needs. The Government provides between a quarter and a third of the cost of care, more for people on a low income. Today’s 65 year olds will need care costing on average £30,000.
  • Voluntary Insurance Scheme – the same as partnership but the Government could help people to prepare to meet the costs that they would have to pay for themselves, through an insurance-based approach. As well as receiving between a third and a quarter of the cost of care, the Government would make it easier for people to take out insurance to cover care costs. It is estimated that the cost of insurance could be around £20,000 to £25,000.
  • The Comprehensive Model – everyone who can afford it would pay into a state insurance scheme meaning everyone who needs care will receive it free. It is estimated that the cost of being in the system could be between £17,000 and £20,000.
  • It is interesting to note that the Government state that there are currently around four people of working age for every person retired. By 2050, they propose that this will half to two people. So there will be half the amount of people paying taxes to support the increasing numbers in retirement.
  • To read The Wealth Care Partnership’s comments and views on The Green Paper on Adult Social Care click here.