Does the cap fit: How do the proposed changes to the social care cap affect people’s protection from catastrophic costs?

In September, the government announced that it was introducing a cap on the lifetime social care costs faced by individuals. This was presented as the solution to one of social care’s problem: that people face a risk of catastrophic care costs depleting their wealth in older age. In November, the government announced its intention to amend the Care Act to make the cost cap less generous for those receiving means-tested support. This amendment is now being considered by Parliament.

At this event, researchers from the Health Foundation and the IFS presented a joint IFS-Health Foundation report, funded by the Health Foundation, that looks at the implications of this change. How far would the government's proposal reduce protection against high social care costs? Who would be most affected in terms of the amount of their wealth they might have to use to pay for care? How would effects vary across regions and between those with more or less wealth and income?

Following presentation of the report findings, Sir Andrew Dilnot (Warden of Nuffield College Oxford and Chair of the Commission on Funding of Care and Support) and Dr Anna Dixon (Chair of the Archbishops' Reimagining Care Commission) responded.