The government has hinted the publication of its green paper on social care could be delayed again due to possible "unforeseen circumstances".
At Age UK’s Late Life conference today (5 September), the minister of state for care at the Department of Health and Social Care, Caroline Dinenage, said there was a chance the paper will not be published in the autumn as expected.
A green paper on long-term reform of the care funding system was due to be published this summer, but was then delayed until autumn.
It follows the government's scrapping of the proposed £72,500 cap on social care in December.
Several solutions are said to be on the table, including the ‘Care Isa’ – a capped savings product, exempt from inheritance tax – and a 'care pension', which mixes drawdown and care insurance.
Ms Dinenage said the paper had an important place in creating a fair care system and was high up on the government's agenda.
She added: "The government is committed to a social care system that delivers high quality care for all.
"We have many strands that will demonstrate this commitment, but the green paper holds a vitally important place here. The publishing of the green paper on social care is entirely our aspiration, however there are often unforeseen circumstances in government which delay things from happening."
According to Ms Dinenage, the government is looking to work with different industries on social care.
"Ageing is a concern worldwide and we cannot challenge these issues by breaking up social care into silos," Ms Dinenage said.
"We are looking at the ways in which we can collaboratively work with different industries, shareholders and employers to see how we can create better care."
rosie.quigley@ft.com
