Boris Johnson says solution to social care crisis could take up to five years

The prime minister has admitted he does not have a plan in place to solve the social care crisis and revealed a solution could take up to five years.

Boris Johnson was speaking on BBC Breakfast and said he would be “bringing forward a proposal” later in the year.

When asked for a timeline, Mr Johnson said: “We will certainly do it this Parliament”, with the BBC Breakfast interviewer pointing out “that’s five years away”.

The prime minister’s revelation that he has no plan as yet, comes six months after he stood on the steps of Downing Street saying the government had a “clear plan we have prepared to give every older person the dignity and security they deserve”.

Vic Rayner, executive director of the National Care Forum responded to his comments, saying: “There is a consensus that our current social care system is in urgent need of reform. It is imperative that the government moves forward on this agenda. The time to act is now. Social care matters to us all.

“On the campaign trail the government stated that it would hold cross-party talks on social care within the first 100 days of holding office. There are now 68 days remaining and no signs of this cross-party approach. The clock is ticking – and the people who receive care, the workforce, providers and commissioners all need to be part of the solution.”

PM repeats pledge that elderly should not have to sell their homes to pay for care

Mr Johnson repeated the pledge on BBC Breakfast that he made during the election campaign that he would ensure older people did not have to sell their home to pay for their care.

He said: "This has been shirked by governments for about 30 years.

"Now we have the majority we need, we are going to get on with this so people can get the care they need in their old age but don't have to sell their home."

MPs will be given a chance to debate the changes to the social care system this year, according to Mr Johnson.

He added: "This is a big, big thing. I mean, this is a potentially massive change in the way we fund social care, and we've got to get it right.

"We have got to think very carefully about how we do it because there are lots of quite important moral and social issues contained in it.”

Elderly and disabled receiving substandard care and families are picking up the pieces

Helen Walker, chief executive of Carers UK, pointed out that "with every day that passes, fewer older and disabled people are receiving the standard of care they need and family members are increasingly picking up the pieces. A clear and robust plan for social care reform, including long term investment, cannot come soon enough."

Phillip Anderson, head of policy at the MS Society, criticised the prime minister for again “he has ducked yet another invitation to set out a clear plan to solve the care crisis.

“Multiple sclerosis (MS) is relentless, painful and disabling, and one in three people with the condition don’t get the care and critical support they need. Can the Prime Minister really allow this crisis to continue for another five years, leaving the NHS paying the price, and many people without a system they can actually rely on?”

While Mike Padgham, chair of the Independent Care Group called it a “kick in the teeth for the 1.5m people who can't get the care they need today.

"If we are forced to wait up to five more years then more providers will close and even more people will start going without care."

30 English councils paying just £2.97 an hour for care

New figures from Care England, the largest body representing care homes, have revealed there are 30 councils in England which pay less than £500 per week for an older person in an independent (charitable or private) residential care home, equivalent to just £2.97 per hour.

Professor Martin Green, chief executive of Care England, said: “It is unacceptable that independent care homes must restrict the pay and conditions of their staff and subsidise care which councils underfund. Ultimately independent care homes may close with the terrible consequences for residents forced to find new homes and staff losing their jobs.”

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