National Care Service

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The National Care Service (NCS) is a proposed publicly funded system of social care in the United Kingdom which was partially introduced by the Labour government of Gordon Brown in 2010 but abandoned soon after when the coalition government of David Cameron and Nick Clegg came to power in May 2010. Similar to the National Health Service, it would be free at the point of need and paid for through taxation.[1][2] The Labour Party has continued to propose the creation of an NCS while in opposition, and has done so under each consecutive leader since Ed Miliband's leadership in 2010.

Since 2021, the proposal has been adopted by the devolved governments of Scotland and Wales.[3][4] In Scotland, it is planned for the service to be fully operational by 2028 or 2029.[5][6] In Wales, the government has begun gradually implementing the service from 2022 for what is expected to be a ten-year period.[7][8]

  1. ^ Whittome, Nadia (15 June 2022). "We desperately need an alternative to the orthodox economic consensus". LabourList. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
  2. ^ Buchan, Lizzy (22 September 2019). "Labour promises free personal care for older people in bid to end 'national scandal'". The Independent. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
  3. ^ "Nicola Sturgeon pledges National Care Service is a 'top priority' if SNP wins election". Daily Record. 20 April 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  4. ^ Pamben, Deven (23 November 2021). "Wales to examine creation of a National Care Service". LaingBuisson News. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
  5. ^ Pringle, Esmé (27 January 2022). "Watchdogs: Care can't wait five years for action". Healthandcare.scot. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
  6. ^ "Scotland's National Care Service delayed by three years". BBC News. 14 December 2023. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  7. ^ This article contains OGL licensed text This article incorporates text published under the British Open Government Licence: "First step to National Care Service as expert panel announced". Welsh Government. 21 February 2022. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
  8. ^ "Written Statement: National Care Service – Initial Implementation Plan Publication (14 December 2023)". GOV.WALES. 14 December 2023. Retrieved 5 January 2024.