New Prime Minister Must Grasp Once-in-a-Generation Opportunity to Fix Social Care

The Independent Care Group (iCG) has urged whoever succeeds Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister to be bold, honour Labour’s commitments and finally tackle the social care crisis that successive governments have failed to solve.

Commenting on the change in Labour’s leadership, iCG Honorary President Mike Padgham said:

“The change at the top of Government presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to do what no Prime Minister has managed to achieve over the last three decades – put social care on a sustainable footing for the future.

“Whether it is Andy Burnham or another candidate who ultimately becomes Prime Minister, we simply ask them to be brave, be ambitious and be remembered as the leader who finally fixed social care.”

The iCG says the new Prime Minister should immediately commit to delivering Labour’s manifesto pledge to establish a National Care Service.

“The commitment was made to the country and should now be honoured. We have long argued that the answer lies in a National Care Service with one vision, one funding stream and one set of national priorities, sitting alongside the NHS as an equal partner.”

The iCG is also urging the incoming Prime Minister to ask Baroness Casey to bring forward her review and publish recommendations during 2026, with implementation beginning immediately thereafter and no later than the end of 2026.

“People receiving care, their families and the workforce cannot wait until 2028 for change. The sector is fragile, providers are struggling, staff remain undervalued and unpaid carers continue to carry an enormous burden. We need urgency, not further delay.

“The next Prime Minister should make social care an early priority and invite Baroness Casey to report this year so that meaningful reform can begin without further procrastination. The challenges facing social care are well known; what has been lacking is the political will to act decisively.”

Mr Padgham added:

“I have campaigned for social care reform for more than 30 years. We know many of the answers already. Providers, people who draw upon care, families and staff possess a wealth of practical expertise and solutions. The independent sector stands ready to work alongside ministers and officials to help this Government succeed where successive administrations of all political colours have failed.”

“The Independent Care Group and those working across the independent social care sector would be delighted to meet with the new Prime Minister at the earliest opportunity. We stand ready to share our experience, practical solutions and ideas to help them be bold, make a success of their premiership and, at long last, solve the social care challenge that has defeated governments of all political persuasions for far too long.”

“We are not short of answers in social care. What we have lacked is the political determination to act. We would welcome the chance to work alongside the Prime Minister and ministers to ensure this Government succeeds where others have not, creating a lasting legacy for generations to come.”

“Social care should no longer be the poor relation to the NHS. You cannot fix the NHS without fixing social care. The public deserves a modern, sustainable care system that values older and disabled people, supports families, rewards staff fairly and gives providers the confidence to invest for the future.”

“The next Prime Minister has the chance to achieve something truly historic – to create a National Care Service, honour Labour’s manifesto commitment, and finally give social care the status, investment and attention it deserves. We urge them to seize that opportunity.”