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Paul Najsarek, Solace’s spokesperson for Health & Social Care, said: “We welcome today’s announcement as a long-overdue step towards addressing the creaking social care system and the Government’s pledge to invest an additional £5.4bn to support that system. But we are concerned that the bulk of this money will not kick in until 2023 and so will do little to alleviate the funding crisis engulfing the social care system now. It is crucial that the forthcoming Spending Review addresses this ongoing and widening funding gap.

“The changes announced today should ensure that more people who need care will be able to access it from 2023 onwards and that is good news. However, we are keen to see the detail of these proposals, in particular what financial backing will be available for councils to meet this expansion of provision.

“More broadly, it is encouraging that the Government has recognised the workforce capacity and capability problems facing the social care system. Similarly, we are reassured that Ministers are seeking to reform how funding for social care is raised but not the way social care is delivered, and we stand ready to help with the development of the White Paper to create an even more integrated health and social care system focussed on improving outcomes.”