Burstow leaves ‘dream’ job as adult social care minister

Paul Burstow has expressed his sadness at leaving “dream job” as care services minister after two years in David Cameron’s government reshuffle today.

Burstow, who will be replaced by fellow Liberal Democrat Norman Lamb, said the role had given him “the opportunity to make a difference in a policy area I care deeply about”. He will return to the backbenches.

A long-time campaigner on social care issues, he particularly highlighted the publication last month of a White Paper and draft bill on reforming care funding and law as something it had been an “absolute privilege” to be involved in.

Burstow added: “In the last two years or so I have been able to introduce policies that will improve the mental health of adults and children, the care of older people and the diagnosis of dementia. I am confident my successor will now take on the challenge to ensure these reforms improve the lives of people in receipt of care up and down the country.

“Finally, I would like to pay tribute to those professionals across the care sector who dedicate their lives to caring for others. I’d also like to assure these people, and others, that I remain committed to reforming the social care system in the long-term.”

Burstow’s successor

Lamb comes to the care services minister’s brief from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, where he was responsible for areas including employment relations and social enterprise.

Before the last election, he was the Lib Dems’ shadow health secretary, a post in which he argued strongly for the reform of adult social care funding.

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