Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of her proposed welfare reforms on demand for social care services from people who may lose benefit eligibility.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will support the Casey Commission into adult social care – and work closely with the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) – as we take forward the proposals in the Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper.

In the short term, up to £3.7 billion of additional funding will be made available for social care authorities in 2025/2026, including an £880 million increase in the Social Care Grant.

For those who are affected by the new eligibility changes, we are consulting on how best to support this group, including how to make sure health and eligible care needs are met.