CSA Writes To New Prime Minister Urging Action On Social Care
The Care and Support Alliance (CSA) has called on Prime Minister Andy Burnham to make the long-awaited reform of adult social care one of the first priorities of his premiership, urging the Government to seize what it describes as a “historic opportunity” to deliver lasting change.
In a letter sent to the Prime Minister following his appointment, the alliance congratulated Mr Burnham and welcomed his long-standing commitment to improving social care, while stressing that older people, disabled people and unpaid carers continue to face significant challenges accessing the support they need.
The CSA said the adult social care system in England remains under intense pressure, with rising demand, increasingly complex care needs, workforce shortages and years of underinvestment combining to leave many people without adequate support.
The organisation warned that the consequences extend far beyond individuals receiving care, placing growing pressure on unpaid carers, the NHS, local authorities and the wider economy.
The alliance highlighted Mr Burnham’s previous commitment to social care reform, recalling that as Health Secretary in 2009 he outlined a vision for a National Care Service based on prevention, independence, dignity and sustainable long-term funding. The CSA, which was established during that period to help advance those ambitions, said the need for reform has only become more pressing in the 17 years since.
The organisation welcomed the work of Baroness Casey’s Independent Commission on Adult Social Care, describing it as an important opportunity to build cross-party consensus around a sustainable future for the sector. It also expressed support for the forthcoming National Conversation on adult social care, which it believes should help shape reforms alongside the experiences of people who draw on care and support, unpaid carers and the wider care sector.
In its letter, the CSA urged the Prime Minister to accelerate the timetable for the Casey Commission and commit to a long-term national funding settlement for adult social care. It also called for action to improve access to care and support by removing barriers to services and making better use of existing resources.
The alliance further asked the Government to publish a clear timetable for reform, with the foundations of a National Care Service established during the current Parliament.
The letter concludes by stating that Mr Burnham now has the opportunity, as Prime Minister, to deliver the reforms first proposed during his time as Health Secretary and provide the lasting changes that older people, disabled people and unpaid carers have been waiting for.
Signed by Care and Support Alliance Co-Chairs Caroline Abrahams CBE, Emily Holzhausen and Jackie O’Sullivan, the letter pledges the alliance’s support in working with the Government to deliver a fair, sustainable and properly funded adult social care system.
