Labour's plans to solve Britain's social care crisis will not be unveiled until at least 2028, the Government has confirmed today.
A new independent commission on social care, headed by Baroness Casey, will begin its work this April as the first step towards creating a "National Care Service".
The veteran Whitehall troubleshooter will be leading efforts to reform the struggling sector, with the commission tasked with building cross-party consensus on finding solutions.
The announcement comes as part of a wider package of support for the social care sector, including new funding and training initiatives - and follows one of Labour's first acts back in power in removing plans for a cap on social care costs.
Baroness Casey will be leading efforts to reform the struggling sector
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The move follows previous unsuccessful attempts at reform, including commissions under Tony Blair and David Cameron
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The commission's work will be split into two distinct phases, with initial recommendations for medium-term reforms due in mid-2026.
The second phase, focusing on longer-term funding solutions, is not expected to deliver its findings until 2028.
The timeline has sparked concerns that recommendations may not be implemented until after the next General Election in 2029 - and with Labour currently facing gloomy polls - uncertainty is rife about its future.
Professor Martin Green, chief executive of Care England, warned: "Waiting until 2028 is not an option.
"The people in care today cannot afford to wait any longer - their lives depend on action now."
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Care professionals have warned Labour's timeframe is 'far too long to wait'
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Care England further cautioned that the commission risked becoming "yet another report that gathers dust while the sector crumbles."
And Sarah Woolnough, chief executive at The King's Fund, urged the Government to speed up its timing, saying: "The current timetable to report by 2028 is far too long to wait for people who need social care and their families."
Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who announced the plans during a care home visit today, emphasised the importance of building consensus for the reforms.
"The independent commission will work to build a national consensus around a new National Care Service able to meet the needs of older and disabled people into the 21st century," he said.
Streeting has stressed the importance of building consensus for the reforms
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Streeting has already written to opposition parties inviting them to participate in the commission's work, with the Liberal Democrats, who had been campaigning for an independent commission, welcoming the move.
It follows previous unsuccessful attempts at reform, including commissions under both Sir Tony Blair and Lord Cameron.
The Government has announced an £86million cash drive to the Disabled Facilities Grant for this financial year, matching the amount pledged in the Budget for next year.
The total annual funding will reach £711million - expected to benefit around 7,800 more elderly and disabled people.
Care workers will receive training to perform health checks such as blood pressure monitoring in patients' homes, reducing the need for hospital visits.
A new digital platform will also be created to enable medical information sharing between NHS and care staff.
