Policy Information

For a summary of latest policy developments, see the latest edition of Care & Repair England's News and Policy Update. Select 'Newsletter' from the menu on the left.

For a short overview of policies related to older people, their housing, health and social care click here.

• Comprehensive Spending Review 2008-11 and new National Performance Indicators
  The Government has set out its policy priorities and spending plans for 2008-11, setting 30 new Public Service Agreements, details available here http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/pbr_csr/pbr_csr07_index.cfm
  The Government has also set out a set of 198 National Indicators to measure local performance of local authorities and a range of other bodies. details available here http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/localgovernment/nationalindicator
  Care & Repair England has produced a Briefing explaining how these relate to housing provision, particularly with regard to existing stock repair and adaptation.Download, in pdf format, here. [December 2007]

• English House Conditions Survey 2005 Annual Report Published
  The full Annual Report with the detailed results of the 2005 Survey is now available. http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1510679
  [June 2007}

• Better outcomes, lower costs:
  Implications for health and social care budgets of investment in housing adaptations, improvements and equipment: a review of the evidence
  The Office for Disability Issues has published this useful analysis of the current evidence base. Link to freely downloadable report and Executive Summary: http://www.officefordisability.gov.uk
  [May 2007]

• Future of Adult Care
  The Kings Fund has published the report by Sir Derek Wanless on the future of care for older people. Link to Freely downloadable report: Securing Good Social Care for Older People: Taking a long-term view
  [March 2006]

• English House Conditions Survey 2004 Headline Report Published
  The short summary report is now available with the detailed 2004 EHCS report due to be published in the summer. www.odpm.gov.uk/ehcs
  [March 2006]

• Social Exclusion Unit publish report on Excluded Older People
  ‘A Sure Start to Later Life is available on. www.socialexclusion.gov.uk/page.asp?id=573
  [January 2006]

• White Paper on Adult Health and Social Care
  Our Health, Our Care, Our Say: a new direction for community services has been published by the Department of Health.
  www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/OrganisationPolicy/
  Modernisation/OurHealthOurCareOurSay/fs/en
  [January 2006]

• Integration of Health and Social Care White Paper
  Department of Health have announced plans to publish a white paper on the integration of health and social care systems later this year. A consultation exercise called Your Health, Your Care, Your Say includes a website resource tool for organisations and groups running their own consultation activities. www.dh.gov.uk/NewsHome/YourHealthYourCareYourSay/
  fs/en
  [September 2005]

• Housing Health And Safety Rating System
  The Housing Health and Safety Ratings System is due to be introduced in November 05. This is one of the most radical changes to the assessment of the state of the housing stock for decades, replacing the old 'fitness standard' . For details about the system: www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/groups/odpm_housing/documents/
  divisionhomepage/039012.hcsp
  [September 2005]

• Briefing Papers on Housing for An Ageing Population
  HOPDEV, the government's advisory committee on housing and older people, has produced a set of briefing papers, supporting information and a presentation on the issue of housing for an ageing population. Whilst aimed primarily at Regional Housing Boards, those with a policy interest in this field will find them of general interest and practical use. Click here
  [March 2005]

• Department for Works and Pensions (DWP) ‘Link-Age’ Plans
  Integrating access to all services for older people was piloted by DH under Care Direct and was then taken on by DWP as the Third Age Service. More detailed proposals for what is now called Link-Age have been published (consultation deadline 26/11/04). See consultation report via www.dwp.gov.uk
  Whilst welcoming many aspects of Link-Age, a number of organisations have expressed some concerns about the focus shifting to financial information and related services and the lack of reference to housing advice and information. See the Care & Repair England response to the consultation here.
  [November 2004]

• Decent Homes Standard
  At the end of February 2004 the ODPM published revised guidance for implementation of the Decent Homes Standard. The guidance can be viewed on the OPDM website.
  Care & Repair England's briefing on the Decent Homes Standard can be downloaded, in pdf format, here.
  [February 2004]

• Access and Systems Capacity Grant 2004-5
  In February 2004 the Department of Health published the Local Authority Circular setting out details and amounts of ASCG. The Circular can be viewed on the DH website.
  [February 2004]