Thinktank director will advise Labour on social care talks

23 February 2012 | By Tom Selby

Labour has drafted in Strategic Society Centre director James Lloyd to advise Shadow ministers on forthcoming cross-party talks on social care.

The talks are directed at finding a sustainable solution to funding long-term care.

In 2008, Lloyd advocated proposals for a National Care Fund into which individuals of working age would make contributions to fund their LTC needs.

He says: “I am very pleased to have been invited by the opposition to support them in finding cross-party agreement on the important issue of reform to the long-term care funding system.”

Shadow minister for care and older people Liz Kendall says: “James is well known across the social care world for his thoughtful, impartial policy analysis on long-term care. He will be advising Shadow ministers in relation to the cross-party talks as the Government and opposition work towards a solution for one of the most important social policy challenges of our time.”

Partnership managing director for care Chris Horlick says: “It is good that someone with significant experience who understands the care system is helping to advise Labour on care funding.”

There has been mounting unrest among senior Liberal Democrat MPs about Andrew Dilnot’s care funding reform proposals. Dilnot’s review proposes introducing a cap on individuals’ lifetime contributions to social care costs of between £25,000 and £50,000, with £35,000 the recommended figure.

Last month, a senior LibDem MP told Money Marketing the concept of a cap is good but it is not clear how it would be funded as there is no money available.

If you enjoyed this article, sign up here to receive daily email updates from Money Marketing and Follow @_moneymarketing