𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

The Commission on Social Care, chaired by Baroness Louise Casey, is a waste of space, a misuse of taxpayers’ money, and a barrier to the radical reform needed to solve the social care crisis. Silver Voices will consult its members on whether to call for the Commission to be wound up, allowing for urgent cross-party talks on possible solutions to the crisis without waiting for Casey’s report in 2028.

Exactly one year ago, in the Express, I described the setting up of the Commission as a cop-out by the Labour Government, as part of a deliberate plan to kick the whole issue into the political long grass for the rest of this Parliament. It was set up to provide cover for broken promises. However, I had hoped that Baroness Casey would be willing to accelerate the timetable and consider early radical changes to address the problems.

I have tried to engage with the Commission’s team of civil servants throughout 2025 to emphasise the need for urgent action, to no avail. Baroness Casey has refused, despite several requests, to meet me face-to-face.

It is clear that Baroness Casey, despite her reputation for independence, has decided to do the Government’s bidding. Her interim report, due later this year, is unlikely to do more than suggest a few tweaks to the existing system of funding. Her Inquiry is proceeding at a funereal pace, with only one token meeting with the other political parties and just a handful of public events.

She appears uninterested in defining what Labour’s promised ‘national care service’ means in practice. This is a Phantom Commission going through the motions on behalf of the Government.

This Commission was never necessary, as 25 similar inquiries have taken place since 1997, accompanied by multiple public consultations. We simply need clear political direction and ambition, which Labour is currently failing to provide.

Baroness Casey needs to reflect on the urgency of the situation, with thousands dying while they wait in vain for the social care which could have extended their lives, and fall on her sword; otherwise, her reputation will be in tatters.