Social care reforms officially passed into law

The government has announced that its Care Bill has been passed into law, becoming the Care Act 2014.

With the ratification of the legislation, the care sector will undergo a series of changes aimed at ensuring fairness and efficiency. For the first time, a limit will be introduced on the maximum amount people will have to pay to fund their own care, with the government to cover any costs above this total.

Meanwhile, a minimum eligibility threshold will be put in place across the country, setting a minimum amount of support that local authorities will need to provide, while efforts will also be made provide more information to help people make educated care choices.

Additionally, new legal protection for carers will be introduced, ensuring they too are able receive government support, in addition to the resources made available to patients themselves.

Care and support minister Norman Lamb said: "The Care Act represents the most significant reform of care and support in more than 60 years, putting people and their carers in control of their care and support."

A recent report from the thinktank IPPR revealed that more people will require care than the number of family carers available from 2017 onwards. These new reforms are aimed at ensuring the system can be made more sustainable, so it can meet the needs of an ageing population.