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Care experts are calling on the government to act urgently on reform social protection of adults after it was discovered long awaited proposals cannot be submitted for another three years.
The ministers announced the first step towards creation National Nursing Service to make the job easier NHS.
The new support package for the sector includes more funding for the elderly and disabled to improve their homes and stay out of hospital.
At the same time, the Secretary of Health Wes Streeting announced that an independent commission led by Baroness Louise Casey will begin in the spring.
The first phase, to be reported next year, will recommend medium-term reforms, and the second, expected by 2028, will advise long-term reforms.
Caroline Abrahams, director of the charity Age UKsaid reform long overduebut even if all goes well, it will be the early 2030s before older people get any significant benefit – 30 years after Japan and Germany modernized their of social protection systems.
“It is a source of deep regret and leaves today’s older people and their families to make the most of a system that is widely accepted to fail many,” she said.
The Home Care Association, which represents employers of carers who visit people at home, said the announcements “could finally bring closure to welfare reform which has been stuck for far too long”.
Jane Townson, Chief Executive, said: “The social protection sector is on its last legs. Without immediate action there will be nothing left to reform.
“Baroness Casey’s commission is the last chance this government has to deliver the transformation we so desperately need.”
But Dr Townson announced plans to train health workers to carry out health checks on patients at home to reduce pressure on the NHS, saying it would make the situation worse because there was no money for training.
Ms Abrahams said the proposals were “unequivocally good news”, but added: “The most sensitive issue of how to fund the social care needs of our rapidly aging population will not be resolved until the second phase of the commission, and this is a major concern, partly because today’s elderly people don’t have time on their side, but also because who knows what the state of the world, our politics or economy will be until then.”
Mr Streeting called on opposition parties to join discussions on reform “to ensure the National Care Service survives governments of all shades”.
Martin Green, chief executive of Care England, warned the plans “become another report gathering dust as the sector crumbles”.
He said: “The damage caused by government inaction is already profound and the consequences for those currently reliant on care will be irreparable unless urgent action is taken.
“Waiting until 2028 is not an option.”
Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, presents unpaid carerswelcomed the news of the reforms, adding: “As part of the first phase, we need to see swift and decisive action on all the recommendations put forward by the commission to improve welfare, and the government must ensure sufficient funding in the forthcoming spending review to deliver and prevent further cuts to social protection.
“We also need to start as soon as possible to start the discussions on long-term sustainable funding for social care.
The 2025 spending review is due to be released in late spring.