Plans to establish a national social care service in Wales, intended to be free at the point of use, will not be fully realized before 2030, according to Delyth Jewell, the deputy Welsh government minister for social care. Jewell indicated that while creating such a service is a significant priority for her and the Plaid Cymru-led government, it is a complex undertaking that cannot be completed within the current Senedd term, which lasts until the next election in 2030.
"It's not something we'll be able to achieve in its entirety in this term. But I want to get us firmly on a path towards that," Jewell stated at a Welsh government event during the National Eisteddfod. She emphasized the goal is to set Wales on a course toward a system that can be considered truly national.
Currently, social care in Wales is a devolved responsibility overseen by the Welsh government and managed by local councils. The costs are shared between residents and local authorities, with a means-testing system in place. The manifesto of Plaid Cymru, from which Jewell originates, had previously stated the party's belief that social care should be provided free at the point of use, similar to healthcare.
When asked about potential funding mechanisms, including the use of Wales' limited tax-raising powers, Jewell highlighted the government's current focus on enhancing the efficiency of the existing system. "At the moment what we want to focus on is ensuring that the system we have works in the most efficient way possible," she said, adding, "I think there are a lot of ways of ensuring that the money that's being spent is spent a lot more efficiently."
These comments follow a recent announcement by UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham regarding a national conversation on the future of adult social care in England. Burnham suggested that difficult decisions, potentially including funding reforms, would be necessary to transform the sector, and he did not rule out tax increases as a means to fund social care in England. He criticized past governments for failing to address what he termed a "crisis" in social care.