Hancock plans to publish social care green paper before April

9 Jan 19

The health secretary intends to publish the much-anticipated social care green paper before the end of the financial year, he told the Commons.

Matt Hancock told the House of Commons on Monday that he plans to publish the green paper “before April”.

The green paper has been delayed multiple times, the most recent of which came just before Christmas.

Former health secretary Jeremy Hunt originally delayed the green paper in June 2018 to coincide with the NHS 10-year plan.

This was eventually published earlier this week but without social care green paper.

Hancock said: “When I answered a previous question on the timing of the social care green paper, I said it would be provided “soon”. I certainly intend that to happen before April.”

The Department of Health and Social Care told PF it could not provide a more specific date of publication for the green paper.

The government’s decision to publish the NHS long-term plan without the social care green paper was criticised by many in the health sector, including think-tanks, umbrella groups and membership bodies.

Council leaders and health group have said social care needs a funding boost along side the extra £20.5bn for the NHS.

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