Personal Social Care: Funding

Lord Hamilton of Epsom Excerpts

Tuesday 16th October 2018 Lords Chamber

[Lord O'Shaughnessy]

The noble Lord is right: the Dilnot commission proposed risk pooling, which we legislated for, and it was decided that it was not the right time to proceed with those proposals. However, I can tell the noble Lord that Sir Andrew Dilnot continues to be involved in the policy-making process, as does Dame Kate Barker, who chaired another review. We want to ensure that we can draw on their expertise as we put our ideas forward.

[Lord Hamilton of Epsom (Con)]

Will my noble friend correct my noble friend Lord Forsyth: there is no such thing as free social care, it is just a question of who pays for it?

[Lord O'Shaughnessy]

My noble friend is absolutely right, which is why there must be a balance between what is paid by individuals and by the taxpayer through the state.