The latest deadline announced for the plan was Christmas 2018, but Westminster sources have now put this back to the “earliest opportunity” next year – laying the blame at the door of Brexit and the political turmoil of the last few weeks.
The news has received a mixed reception from figures in the care sector.
Nadra Ahmed, Executive Chairman of the National Care Association, warned: “Sadly, the delay will only heighten the belief that social care remains an afterthought, despite the fact that it is a crucial part of the support option available to some of the most vulnerable members of our society.
“Until and unless government addresses the reality of the crisis faced by social care, platitudes of its importance will fall on deaf ears.”
CEO of Care England Martin Green, however, was not surprised by the further delay. He said: “The green paper will give the government’s view of the future of long term care. We have waited a long time for successive governments to pontificate therefore the sector has to find its own solutions.
Heidi Travis of Sue Ryder was “disappointed” at the fresh delay.
She stated: “Social care funding is an urgent issue and along with the realities of an ageing society, it is critical that we find a sustainable solution.
“It is quite simply unacceptable to have a social care system that is not effectively funded to meet people’s needs.”
And Paul Edwards of Dementia UK warned: “The postponements of the green paper reflect a government refusing to wake up to the reality of a health and social care system in crisis.”
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