Consultation launched on how best we can pay for care in the future

As Deputy Minister for Social Services I have launched a consultation that will explore how care will be best paid for across Wales in the future. The consultation process called ‘Paying for Care in Wales: creating a fair and sustainable system’, will take place between November 2008 and March 2009, and will focus on how the current system of paying for care will need to change in order to meet future needs. The consultation will run in parallel with one in England and has been prompted by predictions that care services will face a £6bn funding gap across the UK in 20 years. The shortfall between the cost of care services and the money that is available to pay for them in future years is due to the fact that the general population is growing older and the percentage of working age people is decreasing. This demographic trend over the next decade is worrying policy makers around the world. However we must also remember the care system doesn’t just involve the elderly.

In Wales the population is projected to increase in 20 years by about 5% to 3.14m. While the number of children is expected to drop by 6% over the period, the number of people aged 65 to 84 is set to rise by 24% to 582,000 and those over 85 by around 29% to 93,000, in effect over 21% of the population will be over 65.

I want everyone to have their say about these questions: How should we share the responsibility for paying for care in the future? Who should contribute more? If you need care and support, who should pay for it? You or your family? Everyone through the tax system? How should the government allocate its funding in the future? If you need care and support should the financial help you get depend on the kind of support you need? How much money you have? Should these decisions be made nationally or locally?
There are a number of ways in which you can give your views on the key issues by 28 February 2009: By a website: information and views can be submitted at http://www.payingforcareinwales.net .By E-mail/Writing: you can e-mail your views to [email protected] or write to the Paying for Care Team, Older People and Long Term Care Policy Directorate, Welsh Assembly Government, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NQ. By telephoning 02920 823096 you can receive hard copies of the consultation document.
Gwenda Thomas is Deputy Minister for Social Services.

‘I am very pleased with the announcement made by Leighton Andrews AM today of the funding awarded to Groundwork Wales.’ Gwenda Thomas AM for Neath stated today.

‘Groundwork Wales have had extensive involvement in environmental regeneration projects in the Neath constituency. These have included the provision of river benches in Godregraig, hanging baskets in Crynant, the construction of sensory gardens, murals and a vast range environmental improvements. They have also worked in partnership with local schools and youth groups upgrading play areas and involving the children in all aspects of horticultural and green activities.’

Gwenda Thomas continued by saying, ‘ This is a delightful charity which not only improves the lives of local people but also addresses serious environmental issues, and I hope that the £ 3.2M funding from the Welsh Assembly Government will ensure the continuation of the excellent work of Groundwork Wales’.

‘I am acutely aware of the difficulties facing people this winter. With increases in fuel bills and essential items, many of my constituents are worried about keeping warm this winter’, states Gwenda Thomas AM for Neath.

‘I was therefore pleased to be informed of the launch of a winter campaign this week for the national Home Heat Helpline (HHH) by the Energy Retail Association. I must urge anyone who is facing difficulties to contact them on the free-phone number 0800 33 66 99 or online at www.homeheathelpline.org.uk, or alternatively, contact my constituency staff for help and support.’

It has been announced this week that Borg Warner Automotive in Margam will begin to announce redundancies shortly with a proposed complete closure by 2010.

Gwenda Thomas AM stated’ “ Although Borg Warner is situated on the Kenfig Industrial Estate, I am well aware that a number of the employees affected are residents of my Neath constituency. It is my intention to keep well informed of this worrying news and would like to offer my support to anyone who wishes to seek my assistance.”

The group supports the health and safety function in this area and over the past few years they have won a number of awards for excellence in this field. They have just won another - The Alan Butler Award run by RoSPA. The Alan Butler Awards, which have now been running for over ten years, play an important role in recognising, celebrating and communicating the work of health and safety groups.
The objectives of the awards are:
§ to recognise the high standards of work achieved by groups
§ to encourage all groups to set and achieve high standards
§ to use the winning entries as an example of good standards
§ to increase awareness of the Safety Groups
The award is presented in the House of Lords in January.


Gwenda Thomas stated: “For over sixty years the Swansea and West Wales Occupational Safety Group have been committed to improving occupational health and safety in the Swansea and West Wales region. Over one hundred local organizations varying from heavy industry, manufacturing and the service sector to local government are members. They have done a superb job in ensuring the safety of workers in the work place, over the past few years they have won numerous awards and this latest award, The Alan Butler Award is well deserved and is a just recognition of all the good work they have done in the field of Occupational Safety”.