Burstow sets autumn 2011 deadline for new adult care sytem

Care services minister Paul Burstow has said he wants a plan for a new adult social care funding system in place by autumn 2011.

Burstow said that the timetable, which would see legislation introduced in the 2011 Queen’s Speech, was ambitious but said he felt it was possible.

The government has already announced it would set up an independent commission on the future funding of care as soon as possible, and that it would report within a year.

In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, Burstow said all funding options would be considered by the commission, including a system of compulsory contributions.

The idea, put forward by Labour in its pre-election White Paper, was labelled as a “death tax” by the Conservatives before the election.

It will be considered alongside Tory plans for a voluntary insurance scheme and the Lib Dem-favoured option of care costs being split between individuals and the state.

Burstow confirmed that ministers would have the final say on which option would be adopted.

Social care leaders have welcomed plans for a commission, but warned that it must result in action from government.

The Labour government rejected the central idea of the 1998-9Royal Commission on Long Term Care,

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