Wes Streeting on Social Care
TL;DR
Wes Streeting is strongly advocating for a new National Care Service while insisting social care remains distinct from the NHS.
Key Points
He stated definitively in April 2025 that health and adult social care are best kept as distinct services, commissioned through local government.
On April 9, 2025, he announced the first universal career structure for adult social care, setting out four further job role categories.
He defended the government's record in July 2025 by pointing to increased spending power, the biggest rise in Carers' Allowance since the 1970s, and legislating for fair pay agreements.
Summary
Wes Streeting, as Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has positioned the reform of adult social care as a major priority, framing it as necessary to resolve the crisis in the NHS and address demographic pressures from an ageing population. He champions the creation of a National Care Service, a concept he believes is as vital for this generation as the NHS was for the post-war era, noting that Labour took flak for not detailing plans during the general election campaign due to historical political risks. He has committed to immediate action alongside setting up an independent commission, chaired by Baroness Casey, to build national consensus for long-term change.
Crucially, Streeting has firmly rejected proposals to merge the funding or delivery of social care with the NHS, arguing they are best kept as distinct services commissioned through local government. He asserts that social care’s purpose extends beyond health to promoting dignity, independence, and quality of life, functions better suited for local government oversight. His government has legislated for fair pay agreements for social care workers and announced steps to professionalise the workforce through a universal career structure, recognizing the sector's value.
Key Quotes
'We've only been in a year, we have increased the spending power in social care significantly,'
Frequently Asked Questions
Wes Streeting is strongly of the view that social care must remain distinct from the NHS in its delivery and funding, according to statements made in April 2025. He believes social care's role in promoting dignity and quality of life is better delivered and commissioned through local government structures rather than the NHS. This stance contrasts with some hopes for a fully integrated 'National Care Service' absorbing health funding pots.
The Secretary of State announced plans for a universal career structure for adult social care in April 2025, which includes four new job role categories to offer progression opportunities. He also confirmed that the government has legislated for fair pay agreements for social care workers to help address staffing vacancies. He made these announcements while emphasizing the value of the critical system workforce.
Wes Streeting denied that the government had 'kicked the can' on social care during evidence to MPs in July 2025, noting they had been in office for a year. He pointed to immediate steps like increasing Carers' Allowance and legislating for fair pay agreements as meaningful progress. However, he acknowledged that the long-term direction will be set following the final report of the Casey Commission towards the end of the parliament.
Sources8
Social care must stay 'distinct' from NHS, says Streeting
Social care: a year in, what prospects for reform?
Fit for the Future: Health and Social Care Secretary's statement
Creating the adult social care workforce we need
Government response: Adult social care reform and the cost of inaction
'We're not kicking the can,' Streeting defends social care record
Social care must stay ‘distinct’ from NHS, says Streeting
Britain has a social care crisis. Here's how Labour plans to fix it
* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.