- 07 April 2017
- 3 min read
UK Care System: Is it time for change?
Social Care reviewer, Andrew Dilnot, calls for new tax as British system is the “most pernicious means-test in the whole of the welfare state"
With the average person spending roughly £20,000 on Social Care during their lifetime, and a worrying 10% requiring care costing over £1 million, Andrew Dilnot has condemned our Social Care system and called for a new tax to help fund care for those that need it.
(Ref: The Guardian)Under the current system, local authorities will carry out an assessment, assessing needs and an individual’s ability to carry out “normal” daily tasks.
They also consider their finances, looking at two things; their capital and their income.
Those with assets between £14,000 and £23,350 have their care costs covered. With the promised changes to raise the upper limit to £118,000 delayed from April 2017 until April 2020, Mr Dilnot believes that this creates a “sense of inequity and encourages a significant amount of cheating”. (Ref: The Telegraph’s “Guide to Long and Short Term Care”)
The proposed changes to the means test will run alongside the Government’s Care Act legislation where a “care cap” will be introduced for anyone over 65, capping their care payments at £72,000.
It is worth noting, the cap will only apply to the costs of care and will not include fees or meals. (Ref: Age UK)Yesterday, Mr Dilnot highlighted his belief that Social Care should not be means-tested, and that the State Pension triple lock should be reviewed and appreciate a new Social Care guarantee.
His commission report finalises that individuals should be responsible for the first £35,000 (providing they have £100,000 in assets), after which the Government should provide free care.
Despite this report being well received, changes were never brought in, opening questions about the future of our welfare state.
Dismissing claims that a “decent care system” is unaffordable, Mr Dilnot proposed that “it would be entirely reasonable to look again at the triple lock, and substitute some of the more expensive elements” creating a “new triple lock with Social Care included”. In essence, the money saved would bridge the gap and could be used to pay for the cap. (Ref: The Guardian)
Co-Founder, Niche Jobs
About the author
Co-Founder, Niche Jobs
I'm fascinated by the career choice we all make. It speaks so much about who we are. People choose to become a nurse or work in medicine or care for one of two reasons. One: simply, they always wanted to be a nurse or social worker or doctor. Two: even more simply, they want a job which helps people. In our blogs we explore the career choice that puts others first.
Related Blogs
How to write a personal statement to get a social care job when you’ve got no experience
If you’re applying for your first job in social care and don’t know where to start, this article will help. We break down the three essential parts of a personal statement and explain how the experience you do have can be made relevant.
Social Worker or parent at Christmas?
Diane Wills details how her own family experiences have resulted in her becoming a Social Work professional.
Resilience: is it a useful concept in social care?
Social work involves dealing with very emotional, stressful situations. Is resilience a skill or requirement in order to deal with the job?
Related Jobs
Fostering Service Manager
Wendover, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, England
Leaving Care Solutions
Qualified Social Worker
London, Greater London, England
Medicare First
Deputy Nursery Manager
Cirencester, Gloucestershire, England
Seven Healthcare
Social Worker LCT- Good Ofsted
Berkshire, England
NonStop Recruitment
Social Worker
Dudley, West Midlands, England
Search Consultancy
Social Worker
Tyrone, Northern Ireland
TTM Healthcare
See all of our Social work jobs
1040 jobs currently available