Over 130,000 people back Age UK's Care in Crisis campaign

More than 130,000 people have backed Age UK’s Care in Crisis petition, calling for the Government to end the crisis in care, for older people in England.

The Age UK petition warns the Government that 'Care Can’t Wait'. The petition is supported by the Care & Support Alliance, a consortium of over 65 organisations that represent and support older and disabled people.

The petition was delivered to No 10, a week after a group of 85 organisations, including Age UK and other members of the Care & Support Alliance, sent an open letter to the Prime Minister calling on him to make care reform 'his personal mission, his lasting legacy to future generations'.

Age UK hopes the petition will trigger a debate in the House of Commons on how the Government proposes to reform the broken care system.

Tom Wright, group chief executive of Age UK said: "Now that we have news of a draft bill, the Government must now show its commitment to legislate as soon as possible. Older people have waited long enough for reform – any further delays will only condemn millions of vulnerable people to uncertainty, worry and financial insecurity, just at a time when they need to be looked after.

"Alongside the publication of the forthcoming care and support White Paper, we must also see a robust funding report which is crucial for the success of any reform measures."

As an absolute minimum, Age UK is calling for the White Paper to include the following:

• Implementation of the recommendations of the Dilnot Commission on Funding of Care and Support, which the Coalition Government itself established, including the £35,000 cap and £100,000 means-testing threshold for residential care

• A national threshold of eligibility for care and support

• Reform of the chaotic social care legal framework through full implementation of the Law Commission’s recommendations

• Retention of the Law Commission’s emphasis on upholding the rights of people who need care and support, especially those who lack capacity or who otherwise face barriers to arranging their own care. Assessment and care management functions must continue to be free

• Implementation of the Law Commission’s proposals for effective adult safeguarding legislation

• A mapped out path towards full integration of the health and social care systems and statutory duties on local authorities

• To inform people of their right to request assistance to arrange care