Campaigners have blasted the government for ‘dragging its feet’ over a review of Britain’s social care system – after documents suggested it is already behind schedule.
Baroness Casey was due to meet with MPs from all parties in February to seek agreement ahead of a new commission being set up this month.
A date had been set for the talks, but was cancelled at short notice.
Now officials have told campaign group Silver Voices the meeting has still yet to take place.
In response to a Freedom of Information request, officials admitted: “Baroness Casey will be making contact with all party groups in order to set dates with parties across the House of Commons shortly”.
And in response to a question about when the members of the independent Commission will be announced, the response only says the details will be set out “in due course”.
The government still says the commission will launch in April – but with crucial early steps still to take place, campaigners fear progress has stalled.
Dennis Reed, Director of Silver Voices said “The social care crisis is here and present – with 2.6 million mostly older people not receiving the social care support they need, 1in 8 hospital beds “blocked” because of a lack of social care support at home and 57% of social care providers planning to hand back their contracts to local authorities.
“It is unconscionable that the Government appears not to be prioritising solutions to the social care crisis and bringing forward the timetable for reform.
“Instead, it is allowing social care provision to wither on the vine.”
Baroness Casey has been tasked with leading an independent probe into social care, to pave the way for the “National Care Service” that Labour promised in its manifesto.
Still intended to start this month, the review will hone in on the most critical issues dogging the sector and publish initial recommendations by the middle of next year.
A second phase, reporting by 2028, will make longer-term recommendations – including on funding, an issue which has repeatedly been kicked into the long grass.
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