Webchat: Care services with Phil Hope

Care services minister Phil Hope takes part in a webchat about proposed changes to the care system - and the future of the sector.

There are currently six million people across the UK who provide unpaid care to someone they know - a figure that will only increase with Britain's ageing population.

The government's green paper, Shaping the Future of Care Together, addresses how to 'fix' the funding gap by solving the postcode lottery problem.

According to research by Saga - who have been advising the Government - the current postcode lottery looks particularly unpopular, with half of over 50s questioned (51 per cent) in favour of a system that would see the government provide a set standard of care for everybody, regardless of where they live, and which could be topped up by the individual if they wish. Only one in five (21 per cent) of those preferred an insurance policy approach, paid throughout their working lives. The alternative strategy of a one off payment at retirement or death equally lacks support (six per cent). The vast majority (84 per cent) of over 50s also resoundingly agree that the current system of means testing is unfair.

Carers need to be empowered and informed to the help currently available, and what they can do to improve the quality of life - for both themselves and recipients of care. In our live and interactive webTV show you have the chance to question Phil Hope MP, minister of state for Care Services, over some of the proposed changes and where the future for caring lies. Joining the minister will be Emma Soames, Editor-at-Large of Saga Magazine, who is at the forefront of attempts to lobby for change.

Scroll down to view the webchat, which begins at 17:30 BST today.

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