Overview

This bill proposes to make personal care free for adults in England and Wales based on need, regardless of medical diagnosis. It mandates local authorities to provide this care to those ordinarily resident in, or present within, their area.

Description

The core of the bill lies in Clause 1: "Personal care provision". This clause legally obligates local authorities in England and Wales to provide free personal care to adults. Eligibility is determined solely by need, not a medical diagnosis. This applies to individuals ordinarily residing within the authority’s area, or those present but without a settled residence.

Clause 2 details the bill's extent, commencement, and short title.

• Extent: The act applies only to England and Wales.
• Commencement: The act comes into force upon its passing.
• Short Title: The act will be known as the Provision of Personal Care Act 2020.

Government Spending

The bill would significantly increase government spending. The exact cost is difficult to determine without further analysis, as it depends on the number of individuals requiring personal care and the varying costs of providing that care across different local authorities. This would likely require substantial increases in local authority budgets.

Groups Affected

The bill would significantly affect:

• Adults in need of personal care in England and Wales: They would receive free personal care, improving their quality of life and reducing financial burdens.
• Local authorities in England and Wales: They would be responsible for funding and providing the increased personal care services, leading to potential financial strain and administrative challenges.
• Taxpayers in England and Wales: They would bear the financial burden of increased government spending to fund the free personal care provision.

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