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Simon Bottery, Senior Fellow for Social Care at The King’s Fund, said: ‘Although it has been some time coming, it is significant that the government has confirmed that there will be Green Paper that will set out proposals for a long-term solution for social care. But ultimately, the Green Paper will only be meaningful if it results in a fundamental reform to the social care system. This is a challenge that previous governments have ducked and it is vital this government has the courage to deliver real change.

‘Given that the government has decided to focus on older people, it is critical that it ensures the unique issues around working age adults are fully understood in a separate but linked process.

‘Also, the government must not use the Green Paper as an excuse for failing to address the immediate needs of the publicly funded social care sector, which faces a £2.5 billion funding gap by 2020. Unless the Chancellor finds additional funding in next week’s Budget, more people will be denied access to local authority-funded care, increasing pressures on those in need, their families and carers.'

View announcement: Government to set out proposals to reform care and support 

Notes to editors

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The King's Fund is an independent charity working to improve health and care in England. We help to shape policy and practice through research and analysis; develop individuals, teams and organisations; promote understanding of the health and social care system; and bring people together to learn, share knowledge and debate. Our vision is that the best possible health and care is available to all.