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Statement from the Law Commission on the publication of the government’s response to our report on Adult Social Care and draft Care and Support Bill.

We are delighted that the government has responded so positively to the recommendations we made in our Adult Social Care report in May last year. The government’s draft Care and Support Bill substantially implements our recommendations.

Frances Patterson QC, the Law Commissioner leading on the project, said: “We made our recommendations on the basis of extensive consultation. From the start, they received almost universal support from the people who use adult social care services and the individuals and organisations who design and provide those services.

“If implemented, this Bill will clarify the legal framework that supports adult social care and bring beneficial changes to many. With the demographic changes occurring in society that is a significant step forward.

"The government has accepted our thinking that the individual should be at the heart of the new statute and that the guiding principle of care and support is to promote the well being of the individual and focus on their needs and aspirations rather than those of the local authority or service provider. The government has also accepted our reforms for carers, which simplify the system for carer’s assessments and provision of services, and many other of our recommendations. The extent to which government has accepted our recommendations is a clear indication of the merits of our proposed reforms.”

Notes for Editors

1. The Law Commission is a non-political independent body, set up by Parliament in 1965 to keep all the law of England and Wales under review, and to recommend reform where it is needed.

2. For more details on the Adult Social Care project and a copy of the report, visit www.lawcom.gov.uk

3. For all press queries please contact:
Phil Hodgson, Head of External Relations 020 3334 0230
Jackie Samuel 020 3334 0216
Email: communications@lawcommission.gsi.gov.uk