Independent Commission on Adult Social Care

Baroness Tyler of Enfield Excerpts

Tuesday 22nd July 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)]

The noble Baroness, Lady Casey, is working towards setting up a national care service that can work alongside the National Health Service. The noble Lord raises critical points. Given that so many people live with frailty and need in the community, it is essential that not only the NHS and social care but the voluntary sector and the wider community are involved. We have seen incredible benefits for our most vulnerable in areas that have managed this successfully. There is an enormous amount to do, as the noble Lord suggests, but we are up for the job.

[Baroness Tyler of Enfield (LD)]

My Lords, given that many unpaid carers are in effect propping up our social care system, often facing relentless financial hardship and strain to the detriment of their own health, can the Minister explain what specific measures the independent commission is taking to ensure that unpaid carers’ voices are feeding directly into its work and leading to real policy change for unpaid carers, not just warm words?

[Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)]

One of the real differences in the work that the noble Baroness, Lady Casey, is embarking on is that she is committed to working with unpaid carers. The noble Baroness, Lady Tyler, raises a critical point. We know how much this country relies on unpaid carers. I am pleased that we have raised the earnings limit by the highest amount since it was introduced, but the figures are staggering. The significant number of people who are carers has to be taken into account. I am delighted that the noble Baroness, Lady Casey, will work with vested interests, and unpaid carers come very high up that list.