Labour Slammed for Delaying Social Care Reform Until 2028 – Crisis Deepens, You Won’t Believe Why

Labour has decided to delay changes to social care until 2028, which means putting off important reforms yet again by setting up another independent commission. This is a huge disappointment for a sector that urgently needs help.

Social care has been in crisis for years, and instead of fixing the problems, we’re faced with more delays, more discussions, and yet another report that might never lead to real action while the system continues to collapse.

Those of us working in social care feel frustrated and let down. The issues are clear: not enough staff, rising costs, and more demand because of our ageing population. Waiting another three years to act is unacceptable. The sector has already been struggling for a long time.

Most home care services (97%) are provided by independent companies, which are finding it hard to cope with rising costs, staff shortages, and not enough government funding. On top of that, delays in moving patients out of hospitals are putting extra pressure on the NHS, costing millions and worsening health outcomes for patients.

Delaying reforms only makes these problems worse. Recent data from the New Ageing Index shows that 83% of people aged 66 and over think urgent action is needed—not more reports or commissions. The public’s trust in the Government’s ability to fix these problems is almost gone. Many older people hoped a change in government would mean a fresh approach to social care, but their optimism has plummeted.

For example, before the election, 35% of people over 75 believed a new government would improve social care. But within three months of Labour’s term, that number dropped to 22%, and it has likely fallen even more since then.

Every day without action makes things worse for the care sector and the economy. Labour’s recent decision to raise employer national insurance contributions has hit care providers particularly hard. For my company, Home Instead, this added an extra £9 million in annual costs. Since wages are the biggest expense in the care sector, this decision has been devastating.

Social care and the NHS are closely linked, and if the Government wants the care sector to recover, it must treat it as a priority. This isn’t a future problem—it’s happening now, affecting millions of families and growing worse every day.

According to the latest figures, 12.7 million people aged 65 and over make up 19% of the population. By 2041, that number will rise to over 16 million. These people deserve better than endless delays.

Labour needs to act now, not wait until 2028. They should set up a cross-party group that includes social care providers, healthcare workers, and economists to develop solutions within a year—not three. There are solutions available, like more funding for community care, better workforce planning, and using technology to improve services. What’s missing is the political will to act.

Ignoring the care crisis isn’t just bad policy—it’s bad politics. Older voters, who are an increasing part of the electorate, won’t forgive another government for avoiding tough decisions. Labour promised to fix social care in 2024, and breaking that promise could cost them support in future elections.

This isn’t just about politics; it’s about doing what’s right. Labour must take real steps now to show they are serious about fixing social care. Delaying action risks further decline for a system that millions rely on for care and jobs.

It’s time to stop talking and start acting. Our ageing population, the NHS, the care workforce, and struggling families can’t wait until 2028. They need solutions now.