By Mithran Samuel

Alan Johnson made an engaging speech at yesterday's inaugural conference of the charity formed from the merger of Help the Aged and Age Concern. The health secretary reiterated the government's mantra that the long-term reform of adult social care - and its funding - was a top public policy priority.

However, when discussing the timing of the green paper that will initiate this process he said it would be published "later this year". Note the absence of the word "spring", which has hitherto defined the publication window.

From what I can gather the summer is looking fairly likely at the moment. More importantly, expectations about what will be in the green paper appear to be plummeting.

Read the complete post at http://www.communitycare.co.uk/blogs/social-work-blog/2009/04/adult-green-paper-dont-expect.html