Dover and Deal MP Mike Tapp has thrown his weight behind the government's accelerated plans to create a National Care Service, with an independent plan now due by summer 2027 – a year earlier than originally scheduled. The move comes as part of a wider £4.6 billion investment in adult social care, aimed at ending years of underfunding and fragmentation.
Why social care reform is long overdue
Social care affects nearly every family at some point, whether it's supporting an elderly parent, a loved one with a disability, or someone recovering from illness. Yet too many people face a system that fails to deliver. For years, successive governments have acknowledged the problems but shied away from lasting reform, leaving families under immense pressure, carers undervalued, and the NHS struggling to cope.
In Dover and Deal, Tapp regularly hears from residents worried about the quality and availability of care for their relatives. He argues that people deserve a system that provides dignity, security, and support to live independently for as long as possible.
Baroness Casey to lead independent plan
The Prime Minister has tasked Baroness Louise Casey with bringing forward an independent plan for a National Care Service by summer 2027. Alongside this, a nationwide conversation has been launched to hear directly from those who rely on care services, their families, and frontline workers. Their experiences, Tapp says, must shape the future of social care.
This approach, he believes, marks a departure from the past. "Rather than passing the problem on yet again, Labour is bringing people together across political divides to find a long-term solution that can stand the test of time," he said.
Immediate investments and workforce measures
Reform cannot wait until 2027, Tapp stresses. The government is already investing an additional £4.6 billion into adult social care by 2028/29. This includes the first-ever Fair Pay Agreement, backed by £500 million, to help recruit and retain skilled care workers. A new Care Workforce Pathway will also provide clearer career development opportunities, making social care a more attractive long-term profession.
Unpaid carers are also a priority. Millions of people quietly care for family members daily, often juggling work and other responsibilities. The government has published a cross-government Action Plan to improve recognition and support for unpaid carers. The Carer's Allowance earnings limit has been raised by £2,750 over the past two years – the biggest increase since the 1970s – allowing more carers to remain in work while supporting loved ones.
Supporting independent living at home
To help people live independently, £723 million has been provided through the Disabled Facilities Grant, enabling tens of thousands of people to adapt their homes. Financial support has also been strengthened through increases to the Minimum Income Guarantee, putting around £400 back into the pockets of many disabled people to help with the cost of living.
Easing pressure on the NHS
Fixing social care is not just about improving quality of life; it's essential for the NHS. Every day, thousands of people remain in hospital despite being medically fit to leave because the right care is not available elsewhere. Better integration between health and social care, including the development of neighbourhood health services, will help people move more smoothly between services while easing pressure on hospitals.
There are no quick fixes, Tapp acknowledges, but after years of delay, serious leadership is finally confronting the challenge. "By investing in care, valuing the workforce, and listening to the people who rely on these services every day, we have a real opportunity to build a social care system that works for everyone, including families here in Dover and Deal," he concluded.
