Costs of social care

By the Editorial Team · Monday, September 21, 2026

Former care minister Paul Burstow urged that the UK social care funding debate focus first on defining a clear "public promise" detailing the support people should expect, financial responsibilities, and collective risk-sharing before deciding on funding levels or provider roles. This approach aims to prevent simply increasing spending within the current mixed private-public system, which may fail to address fundamental flaws amid rising demand and affordability challenges.

The ongoing debate over social care funding in the United Kingdom continues to raise fundamental questions about the system’s structure and objectives. Paul Burstow, former Liberal Democrat care minister, emphasized that discussions about increasing financial support must be grounded in a clear understanding of what the care system is expected to deliver, who should bear the costs, and what level of risk should be shared collectively.

In a recent letter responding to concerns about private care providers profiting from vulnerable individuals, Baroness Casey of Blackstock had criticized the current model of social care for failing many people. Burstow agrees that simply injecting more money into the existing framework, which relies heavily on a mix of private and public providers, may not resolve deeper systemic issues.

He argues that the debate should first establish a definitive "public promise" outlining the entitlements people can expect when their health declines due to disability, frailty, or illness. This promise would specify the nature and extent of support available, the reasonable financial contributions expected from families, and the risks that the community as a whole is willing to share through collective funding mechanisms.

Only after these parameters are defined, Burstow contends, can policymakers effectively determine the appropriate level of funding, the institutional arrangements, and the balance between public and private providers needed to meet those expectations. Without such clarity, additional investment risks perpetuating the current system’s shortcomings, potentially creating only a better-funded yet still inadequate level of care.

The call for reform reflects broader concerns about social care in the UK, where aging populations and increasing demand have strained services amid debates over affordability and fairness. Discussions continue on how to design a sustainable model that ensures both quality care for recipients and financial protection for families, while addressing the role of private companies in the delivery of services.

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