Title

HEALTH

MPs back social care system overhaul

A poll of 100 English MPs has found just one in 10 believe the current social care system is suitable for the UK’s ageing population.

A poll of 100 English MPs has found just one in 10 believe the current social care system is suitable for the UK's ageing population.

The poll, commissioned by older people's charity Independent Age, also found 86% believe a cross-party consensus is needed for a lasting settlement on health and social care.

Chief executive of Independent Age, Janet Morrison, said: ‘Confidence that the social care system can deal with the UK's ageing population has virtually evaporated among Parliamentarians.

‘The crisis in social care was front and centre in the election earlier this year and it is clear from this poll that there is an overwhelming desire from politicians on all sides for the Government to work towards a cross-party consensus on a solution.'

Richard Humphries, senior fellow at The King's Fund, an independent charity working to improve health and care in England, said the survey challenged ‘the leaderships of both main parties to put aside their differences and work together to fix the crisis in the social care system'.

He said: ‘MPs of both main parties agree that adult social care needs both fundamental reform and more funding, and so it is vital that the forthcoming government consultation addresses this.

‘Parliament has made clear that the make do and mend approach to the social care system is no longer good enough.'

Chairman of the Local Government Association's community wellbeing board, Cllr Izzi Seccombe, added: ‘It is encouraging to see so many MPs across all political parties recognising the need for action to find a sustainable solution to the adult social care funding crisis.'

HEALTH

The NHS 10 Year Plan: Why listening at scale matters for local government

By Ruth Cousens | 28 January 2026

Ruth Cousens outlines what 250,000 voices reveal about prevention, place and the future role of councils.

HEALTH

Rebuilding the scaffolding to repair communities

By Paul Marinko | 28 January 2026

Community tensions have been rising in the last year, a new survey by Starfish Search has found. Paul Marinko talks to councils about the scale of the challe...

HEALTH

Calling for capital investment in London

By Sir Bob Neill | 27 January 2026

Sir Bob Neill warns against talking down our capital city and makes the case for supporting London’s boroughs.

HEALTH

CCN: Funding for adult social care pay to fall short by £350m

By Joe Lepper | 27 January 2026

Government funding for plans to tackle low pay in adult social care will fall short by around £350m, analysis published by the County Councils Network (CCN) ...

Popular articles by William Eichler