Ben Howlett
Chief Executive, CuriaBen Howlett is the former MP for Bath, and Chief Executive of Policy Institute, Curia which hosts the Health, Care, and Life Sciences Research Group. He previously chaired the board of a technology enabled care company.
It has been a decade since I first walked into No.10 under the Cameron Government to discuss reforms to social care. In that time, the need for comprehensive and decisive action has only grown more urgent. The announcement of Baroness Louise Casey’s independent commission into social care is a welcome step, but the proposed timeline – stretching reforms into 2028 – feels far too distant for a system already at breaking point. We cannot afford to wait.
We all know that there is no shortage of policy in this area. The Government’s commitment to spend an extra £86m before April to help elderly and disabled people remain in their homes is a positive move, but it’s a drop in the ocean compared to what’s needed. Over the last decade I have said that Governments of all colours can deliver a four-point plan of reform in the meantime. At Curia we will be working on ways in which reforms can be delivered today:
- Immediate Workforce Support and Development
- Expand and Strengthen Community-Based Care
- Introduce Interim Financial Reforms
- Leveraging Technology in Social Care:
Political leaders must seize the opportunity to enact meaningful change now.
The Case for Urgency in Social Care
Social care in England has long been in crisis, with growing demand, chronic underfunding, and persistent staff shortages. The numbers are stark: about 835,000 people received publicly funded care in 2022, but Age UK estimates two million people in England have unmet care needs. Meanwhile, according to Skills for Care, there are over 131,000 vacancies in the adult social care workforce. The system, quite simply, is not fit for purpose.
The immediate challenges are compounded by long-term demographic changes. Our ageing population means the costs of care are set to double within the next 20 years. Yet political inertia has seen numerous proposals – from the Dilnot Commission’s cap on care costs to Labour’s 2010 plan for reform – fail to materialise. The stakes are clear: without decisive action, more individuals and families will face financial ruin, forced to sell their homes to cover care costs.
“The Government should allocate emergency funding to local authorities to prevent the closure of vital services and ensure that essential care needs are met”
Ben Howlett, Chief Executive, Curia
Ahead of the Casey social care review reporting back in 2028, there are several practical reforms that could be implemented immediately to stabilise the system and address some of its most pressing challenges. These reforms, which focus on workforce support, community-based care, financial protections, and technological adoption would provide much-needed relief to individuals and families while paving the way for long-term solutions.
Immediate Workforce Support and Development
First, the workforce crisis in social care must be addressed as a matter of urgency. Increasing pay and improving working conditions would help make the sector more attractive and competitive, reducing the chronic staff shortages that are undermining care services. Darzi’s forthcoming workforce review can try to tackle these issues earlier than 2028. Clear career pathways, supported by accredited training programmes and opportunities for professional development, could further boost morale and retention by providing workers with a sense of purpose and progression.
In the short term, the Government could also consider relaxing visa requirements to allow skilled care workers from abroad to fill gaps in the workforce. By valuing and supporting care workers, we can ensure that the people who provide essential care are properly recognised and equipped for their roles. Pay parity between social care and the NHS is needed, however, this may be a step too far for a Chancellor already struggling to balance the books.
Expand and Strengthen Community-Based Social Care
Second, investment in community-based care is essential to help people live independently for longer and reduce the strain on residential care facilities and hospitals. Increased funding above that announced today for home care services would enable more elderly and disabled individuals to receive the support they need in their own homes, preserving their independence and dignity.
At the same time, greater use of assistive technologies, such as fall detectors and remote health monitoring devices, would enhance safety and efficiency. To further strengthen these efforts, health and social care systems must be more closely integrated, with shared data and co-ordinated care plans that minimise disruptions and ensure seamless support.
Introduce Interim Financial Reforms
Finally, interim financial reforms are crucial to protect individuals and families from the financial devastation that often accompanies care needs. Introducing a temporary cap on care costs would prevent people from facing catastrophic expenses while awaiting the implementation of a long-term funding solution.
Raising the eligibility thresholds for council-funded care would also provide immediate relief for those with modest savings or assets, allowing more people to access support without depleting their resources. Additionally, the Government should allocate emergency funding to local authorities to prevent the closure of vital services and ensure that essential care needs are met.
Leveraging Technology in Social Care
I have seen firsthand the benefits of leveraging technology in social care offers a transformative opportunity to improve efficiency, co-ordination, and outcomes. By implementing integrated digital platforms, healthcare providers, social workers, and care staff can share and update medical information in real time, ensuring seamless continuity of care. This approach enables proactive interventions, reduces administrative burdens, and fosters greater integration between the NHS and social care services.
Additionally, digital tools can enhance transparency, improve accountability, and streamline processes, leading to cost savings and better support for care workers and service users alike. To achieve this, the government must invest in infrastructure, provide training for staff, and ensure robust data privacy measures while standardising systems to ensure compatibility across sectors. With thoughtful implementation, technology can be a vital enabler of a more connected, efficient, and sustainable social care system.
Moving Beyond Partisan Gridlock
Social care reform has been a political minefield for decades. The toxic labelling of plans as a “death tax” or “dementia tax” in past elections exemplifies how partisan politics can derail meaningful progress. However, Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting’s call for cross-party consensus signals a shift in approach. The establishment of an independent commission chaired by Baroness Casey offers an opportunity to grow consensus – something Theresa May’s former Chief of Staff and now MP, Nick Timothy lost the Government’s majority in 2017.
The sector largely agrees. Speaking to TimesRadio on Friday, Chief Executive of the National Care Forum, Professor Vic Rayner said politicians need to “stick their neck on the line” and prioritise social care. Whilst Chief Executive of Care England, Professor Martin Green was a little more direct with the Guardian “This commission will simply confirm what we already know – how many more reports must we endure before action is taken?”
While consensus is crucial, it must not become an excuse for delay. Many of the solutions to fix adult social care are already known. Local authorities and care providers have repeatedly outlined steps to stabilise the system, from increasing funding for home care services to introducing better career pathways for workers. Delaying implementation until 2028 risks deepening the crisis and causing further harm to those reliant on care.
A Vision for the Future
The Government’s ultimate aim of a National Care Service, akin to the NHS, is laudable. Such a service could ensure that every individual receives the care they need, regardless of wealth or postcode. However, realising this vision requires bold political leadership and a willingness to prioritise care reform above short-term electoral considerations.
As Baroness Casey has noted, this is an opportunity to start a national conversation and build consensus on a sustainable, long-term plan. But the commission’s work must be accelerated, and its recommendations acted upon with urgency. Waiting until 2028 to deliver reform risks perpetuating a cycle of crisis management that leaves the most vulnerable without the support they deserve.
The Time to Act Is Now
It is rare for a policy issue to garner genuine cross-party goodwill, but social care reform is one such issue. Ministers and opposition leaders alike must harness this momentum and move beyond rhetoric to tangible action. The millions of older people, disabled individuals, and unpaid carers who rely on the system cannot wait another decade for change.
With a huge Parliamentary majority, the tools to fix social care are within our grasp. The question is whether we have the political will to use them. Let’s not waste another moment – the time to act is now.
Get Involved with Curia’s Programme on Social Care in 2025
In 2025, Curia’s Health, Care, and Life Sciences Research Group will be holding a series of Parliamentary events to look at what the Government can do now to implement reforms to the social care system. With Advisory Board members including former Shadow Minister for Social Care and Mental Health, Paula Sherriff and former Minister for Health, Professor Ann Keen who wrote the 2010 workforce reforms and former Minister of State for Health with responsibility for workforce, Rt Hon Andrew Stephenson.
To find out more about this programme and to get involved, please contact team@curiauk.com.
