Elderly social care should be funded by national social insurance and property equity-release schemes, according to a new report. The study by the New Local Government Network calls for the introduction of ‘gradual social insurance payments by all… supplemented by a chance for the baby-boomer generation to buy into a higher grade of care options through a government-backed first-charge on the equity of their properties'. The NLGN claims this would enable councils and other public bodies to cover soaring social care costs. NLGN director, Chris Leslie, added: ‘We also believe a new role for local government should be set out – less reliant on the council taxpayer to fund social care, but more reliant on elected councils to shape how money is spent and services commissioned.'
