In the meantime, significant funding has been announced to support elderly and disabled individuals in making home improvements to avoid hospital stays, totaling £711 million for the next two years.

The UK government has announced the launch of an independent commission to reform adult social care, led by Baroness Louise Casey, with work set to begin in spring 2025.

Upon her appointment, Casey highlighted the critical need for an effective adult social care system to ensure the independence and dignity of those it serves.

Political resistance to funding solutions for adult social care has hindered progress, with past attempts at reform often derailed by conflicts and lack of detail.

Casey has a proven track record in addressing complex social issues, having previously tackled problems like rough sleeping and antisocial behavior.

This initiative aims to create a National Care Service designed to alleviate pressure on the National Health Service (NHS), which has been struggling with significant challenges.

Casey expressed her commitment to fostering a national conversation and developing long-term solutions for the adult social care system.

The commission's first phase will provide recommendations for medium-term reforms next year, while the second phase is expected to offer long-term advice by 2028.

However, health and care leaders have criticized the commission's timeline, stating that the interim report will not be ready until 2026, which could delay necessary reforms.

Critics warn that waiting until 2028 for action could have irreparable consequences for care recipients, raising concerns about the long wait for the final report.

Caroline Abrahams from Age UK noted that while the proposals are positive, the critical issue of funding for social care will not be addressed until the second phase of the commission.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting emphasized the urgency of addressing the social care crisis, noting that the population over 65 is projected to increase significantly by 2050, potentially doubling social care costs by 2038 if left unaddressed.