Prime Minister Boris Johnson says he has a plan to 'fix the crisis in social care once and for all'

Speaking on the steps of 10 Downing Street, Prime Minister Boris Johnson told Britain “We will fix the crisis in social care once and for all”.

After being formally asked by Her Majesty the Queen to form a government, Mr Johnson said outside the famous black door: "My job is to serve you the people. My job is to make sure you don’t have to wait three weeks to see your GP.

"We start work this week with 20 new hospital upgrades and ensuring that the money for the NHS really does get to the frontline.

“My job is to protect you or your parents or grandparents from the fear of having to sell your home to pay for the costs of care.

“And so I am announcing now on the steps of Downing Street that we will fix the crisis in social care once and for all with a clear plan we have prepared. To give every older person the dignity and security they deserve.

“That is the work that begins immediately behind that black door.

“And though I am today building a great team of men and women, I will take personal responsibility for the change I want to see.”

Mr Johnson promised it was “time to change the record” when it came to government policy and made a number of promises including 20,000 more police on the streets. He said the UK will leave the EU on 31 October and said: “Never mind the backstop the buck stops here.”

Matt Hancock, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, who backed Mr Johnson after his own leadership bid failed, said: "Ultimately he is a progressive, one-nation, modernising Conservative. That’s how he describes himself, that’s why I support his agenda so strongly.”

Care sector questions Boris' 'clear plan'

In response to Boris Johnson’s first speech as PM, Genevieve Edwards, director of external affairs at the MS Society, said: “Keeping our social care system afloat must be an immediate priority for the new Prime Minister, so it’s encouraging he has committed to fix it ‘once and for all’.

"More than two years ago we were promised a green paper to address the care crisis in England, but have still seen no action. In the meantime, one in three people with multiple sclerosis (MS) continues to struggle without vital care to get dressed, wash, and eat.

“We must find a long-term solution that’s not just about older people, who were Mr Johnson’s focus – disabled adults and carers need support too.”

In response to Boris Johnson's promise to fix social care with "with a clear plan we have prepared”, Simon Bottery, senior fellow for social care at The King's Fund tweeted (@blimeysimon) 'Seriously mixed feelings on this.

'Last thing we want is to charge off down the wrong road. I think there’s a saying: ‘No plan is better than a bad plan’.