Casey Commission: National Care Service latest

How we got here

The government announced the Commission on 3 January 2025. Its terms of reference set two phases. Phase 1, due in 2026, was to plan how to implement a National Care Service and review existing funding at the boundary with the NHS. Phase 2 was to give longer-term recommendations, "reporting back by 2028".

In March 2026, Baroness Casey wrote to the government asking for immediate action on dementia, motor neurone disease and adult safeguarding. As late as 22 June 2026, ministers were still referring to her "phase 1 report later this year".

What changed in July

On 29 July 2026, 10 Downing Street said the Prime Minister would bring forward the Commission's report on how to deliver a National Care Service from 2028 to the following summer. The same day, Baroness Casey launched the Big Conversation on Care, an online public engagement exercise. A ministerial group on social care, chaired by the Health and Social Care Secretary, was also announced, along with an invitation to opposition leaders to begin cross-party talks.

The Commission's own updates show the next stage. From 21 September 2026, households across England began receiving letters inviting them to join a Public Panel on Care of about 125 people. The first phase of the Big Conversation's online platform closed in September 2026. Westmorland and Furness Council, promoting the exercise, says the Big Conversation will conclude by April 2027, with recommendations by summer 2027.

What the PM announced in September

On 29 September 2026, the Prime Minister said:

a National Care Service will be established in the next Parliament and introduced in phases;
it will provide free personal care for older people, such as help with eating, bathing and using the toilet, assessed on need, not on what a person can afford;
it will not cover bed and board (accommodation and food), so means-testing for those costs continues;
it will be "fully funded", and not through borrowing.

DHSC's social care blog (9 October 2026) adds that Baroness Casey's Commission will recommend how and when the service should be built up. It also reports workforce plans: a workforce action plan, a national collective pension scheme for care workers, and a first unpaid carers champion.

What this does and does not mean

Announced, not law. No legislation has been published. The September commitment is for the next Parliament, so it would follow the next general election.

Older people first. The free personal care pledge as announced is for older people. The announcement did not say what it would mean for working-age disabled adults, including people with learning disabilities, autism or mental health needs. The Commission's remit treats their support as a separate question.

Care homes would still charge for accommodation. If the model goes ahead as described, a care home resident's bill would split into free personal care and means-tested bed and board. That split would matter a great deal for how homes invoice and how councils commission.

What this means for your service

Nothing changes in how care is charged today. Current charging and means-testing rules still apply.
Expect change in how fees are structured. A split between personal care and accommodation costs would affect pricing, contracts and invoicing. Start knowing your own cost breakdown.
Watch for the next stage of the Big Conversation. Its first online phase closed in September 2026, and the exercise is expected to run to spring 2027. Check the Commission's website for ways to take part.
Working-age services should watch closely. The pledge as announced is for older people. Make the case for the people you support through your association.
Keep an eye on summer 2027. The Commission's report is the point where timing and money become concrete.