Dismay at delay of social care Green Paper

The Health and Social Care Secretary, Jeremy Hunt MP, has confirmed that the social care Green Paper will be delayed. Speaking in Parliament, Jeremy Hunt said the Green Paper will be published in the autumn around the same time as the NHS plan. More than seven months ago, the government committed to publishing the paper before the summer recess this year.

The decision has been met with dismay and disappointment. Colin Angel, UKHCA’s Policy Director said,

‘It is very disappointing that the Government chose to announce the delay of the Green Paper on the day that we learned the NHS will receive an extra £20.5 billion. While the delay could allow more time to produce a stronger joined-up document, Government cannot continue to ignore the deepening crises in social care services.’