How will the Government’s White Paper on Social Care change in social care in the UK?

On Wednesday 1st December 2021 the Government published its White Paper on Social Care.  This followed the Prime Minister’s previous announcement that a new social care cap would be implemented from 2023 and no one in England would pay more than £86,000 in care fees during their lifetime.

The new ten-year vision for adult social care outlined in the Government’s White Paper on Social Care aims to provide greater choice for those receiving care and certainty over costs and, for the first time, there will be a limit on the cost of care for everyone in the adult social care system (more detail on this point below) because:

• £300m will be spent on supported housing
• £150m will be invested in new technologies, such as personal alarm systems and online rotas for staff
• £500m will be put towards improving training and qualifications for staff

The new cap on care costs will cover fees for personal care including help with washing and dressing. It will not cover living costs such as care home fees, food or utility bills.

The Government’s White Paper on Social Care goes on to say that from October 2023:

• Those with assets of less than £20,000 will not have to pay anything from These towards care fees – although they might have to pay from their income
• Those with more than £100,000 in assets – the value of their home, savings or investments – will not get any financial help from the council
• Those with assets between £20,000 and £100,000 will qualify for council help, but will have to pay £86,000 out of their own pocket to reach the cap

If this blog raises any questions or if we can help you with any other aspect of planning for your and your family’s future, please email deniece.lines@collinshoy.com or call Deniece on 0208 866 1820.