My Lords, we have made it clear in the independent commission’s terms of reference that its chair, the noble Baroness, Lady Casey, must consider older people’s care and support for working-age disabled adults separately, recognising that services meet different needs. It is, of course, for her and her team to independently consider how to build a social care system fit for the future. The commission will first report in 2026, with phase 2 to follow by 2028.

My Lords, we have made it clear in the independent commission’s terms of reference that its chair, the noble Baroness, Lady Casey, must consider older people’s care and support for working-age disabled adults separately, recognising that services meet different needs. It is, of course, for her and her team to independently consider how to build a social care system fit for the future. The commission will first report in 2026, with phase 2 to follow by 2028.

The noble Lord raises an incredibly important point; I would expect as much from his background in this area. It is fair to say that local authorities spend more than 50% on the working-age demographic, but he is absolutely right that the main focus—the news interest—tends to be on older adults. I reassure him that our Government will look at all the issues, and enabling people to get back into the workplace and stay there is absolutely critical. The most important thing about the review of the noble Baroness, Lady Casey, is that it will be inclusive. She has already held a cross-party meeting, and there will be ample opportunity for all Members to ensure that their voice is heard.

The noble Lord raises an incredibly important point; I would expect as much from his background in this area. It is fair to say that local authorities spend more than 50% on the working-age demographic, but he is absolutely right that the main focus—the news interest—tends to be on older adults. I reassure him that our Government will look at all the issues, and enabling people to get back into the workplace and stay there is absolutely critical. The most important thing about the review of the noble Baroness, Lady Casey, is that it will be inclusive. She has already held a cross-party meeting, and there will be ample opportunity for all Members to ensure that their voice is heard.

My noble friend raises an important point, and I just highlight my personal experience of working with the noble Baroness, Lady Casey, which goes back over a couple of decades to when she first started the work on introducing ASBOs—I am sure that everyone will remember that—and then went on to troubled families. She has a very strong and clear understanding of the local government sector, and it will be fundamental, I am sure, given the importance of the sector in this whole area, that this engagement is profound. Of course, it is absolutely critical that we allow her to move forward with that important piece of work, but I am very sure—as I am sure that all noble Lords are—that the LGA will make its voice very loudly heard and make sure that its view are fed in on behalf of the people it represents.

My noble friend raises an important point, and I just highlight my personal experience of working with the noble Baroness, Lady Casey, which goes back over a couple of decades to when she first started the work on introducing ASBOs—I am sure that everyone will remember that—and then went on to troubled families. She has a very strong and clear understanding of the local government sector, and it will be fundamental, I am sure, given the importance of the sector in this whole area, that this engagement is profound. Of course, it is absolutely critical that we allow her to move forward with that important piece of work, but I am very sure—as I am sure that all noble Lords are—that the LGA will make its voice very loudly heard and make sure that its view are fed in on behalf of the people it represents.

I agree, and I would broaden that out to the whole emphasis on housing generally. Housing is a critical factor in the ability to thrive, to live independently and to move forward, but it is also about place and making sure that everyone has the opportunity to live near their supporters around them. This is a huge area of work. I hope that our commitment to improving housing in this country is known and understood, and this is a very important element of that.

I agree, and I would broaden that out to the whole emphasis on housing generally. Housing is a critical factor in the ability to thrive, to live independently and to move forward, but it is also about place and making sure that everyone has the opportunity to live near their supporters around them. This is a huge area of work. I hope that our commitment to improving housing in this country is known and understood, and this is a very important element of that.

The noble Lord, as always, raises a fundamental point. One area that I have most concern about is that of transition. Some young people could be getting very valuable and profound support while they are of school age, but the transition into adulthood is where the gaps occur. We recognise

this, and are working on a whole range of issues to make sure that they have opportunities. We need to make sure that every young person has the opportunity to thrive, whatever their background, whatever their health needs, and this Government are committed to do just that.

The noble Lord, as always, raises a fundamental point. One area that I have most concern about is that of transition. Some young people could be getting very valuable and profound support while they are of school age, but the transition into adulthood is where the gaps occur. We recognise

this, and are working on a whole range of issues to make sure that they have opportunities. We need to make sure that every young person has the opportunity to thrive, whatever their background, whatever their health needs, and this Government are committed to do just that.

In many ways, despite all the challenges, we are entering an interesting and exciting phase in terms of new technologies, digital awareness and understanding how we can better engineer communication, for example. The noble Baroness is of course absolutely right that everyone deserves to have access to those opportunities, but we need to make sure that everyone is known, their needs are known, and the support is there so that they can thrive.

In many ways, despite all the challenges, we are entering an interesting and exciting phase in terms of new technologies, digital awareness and understanding how we can better engineer communication, for example. The noble Baroness is of course absolutely right that everyone deserves to have access to those opportunities, but we need to make sure that everyone is known, their needs are known, and the support is there so that they can thrive.

The noble Lord has made me aware of Purple Shoots on other occasions and, to broaden things out slightly, this links to the NHS 10-year plan in terms of shifting more resources into the communities so that organisations can thrive and benefit and reach people who need them. I am absolutely happy to pass on that information.

The noble Lord has made me aware of Purple Shoots on other occasions and, to broaden things out slightly, this links to the NHS 10-year plan in terms of shifting more resources into the communities so that organisations can thrive and benefit and reach people who need them. I am absolutely happy to pass on that information.

As always, my noble friend raises a very pertinent point, which pinpoints the fact that we should never make any assumptions about people and their responsibilities, regardless of the circumstances that they are in. I am very happy to have a conversation about all the different aspects that we are working on to improve the experience of carers, particularly unpaid carers.

As always, my noble friend raises a very pertinent point, which pinpoints the fact that we should never make any assumptions about people and their responsibilities, regardless of the circumstances that they are in. I am very happy to have a conversation about all the different aspects that we are working on to improve the experience of carers, particularly unpaid carers.

To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the Independent Commission on Adult Social Care gives due consideration to the needs of working-age adults to live as independently as possible.

To ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the Independent Commission on Adult Social Care gives due consideration to the needs of working-age adults to live as independently as possible.