Councillor Itfikhar Ahmed welcomes Government green paper announcement on care and support for older people

Councillor Iftikhar Ahmed

Councillor Iftikhar Ahmed, Rochdale Council’s cabinet member for adult care, has welcomed the announcement that the government will publish a green paper on care and support for older people by summer 2018.

Councillor Ahmed said: “The green paper provides a once in a generation opportunity to tackle the national social care funding crisis with a long-term solution, rather than a short-term fix. It is a welcome step forward but it’s real action from the government that will make a difference, not just warm words.”

The paper, announced on 16 November by First Secretary of State and Minister for the Cabinet Office, Damian Green, will set out plans for how government proposes to improve care and support for older people and tackle the challenge of an ageing population.

As people are living longer and the population ages, the government recognises the need to reach a long-term, sustainable solution to providing the care older people need.

Once the green paper is published in summer 2018, it will be subject to a full public consultation.