Silence on Social Care: No Updates from Government Since May

On 5th May 2025, MPs warned that England’s adult social care system was “broken” and urgently needed reform. At the same time, Baroness Louise Casey was appointed to lead a major commission into the future of social care, with promises of long-term recommendations to shape policy.

Since that date, there has been nothing further to report. No updates from the Labour government. No announcements from the commission. And no meaningful coverage from major news outlets about what is happening next.

For families who rely on homecare, for unpaid carers struggling in silence, and for providers like us on the front line, this lack of communication is deeply concerning. While the crisis grows more acute each day, those in power remain silent.

A Sector in Limbo

The funding gap in homecare continues to widen. In Kirklees, for example, our council rate of £25.62 per hour remains far below the Homecare Association’s recommended minimum of £32.14. This £6.52 shortfall makes it almost impossible to recruit and retain staff in competition with retail and hospitality jobs, which often offer similar or better pay for less demanding work.

Meanwhile, the government’s promised reforms remain out of sight. Increased NHS investment does not filter down to the private social care sector, where providers like us deliver essential personal care every day in people’s homes. Care workers remain underpaid and undervalued, despite being the backbone of the health and social care system.

Where is the Leadership?

The absence of updates from Westminster only deepens the uncertainty. If this government is serious about tackling the social care crisis, it must provide transparency, a timeline, and urgent action. Every week of silence is another week where providers struggle, families go without support, and the workforce continues to dwindle.

Our Commitment Amid the Silence

At Bespoke Care and Support Services, we cannot wait for government action to do the right thing. We continue to deliver award-winning care across Huddersfield and Kirklees, supporting people to live with dignity and independence in their own homes.

But the question remains: how long can providers be expected to shoulder the burden alone? Until national reform is more than just words, the future of social care will remain in crisis, and silence is not an acceptable response.