Long-Term Care Scheme analysis
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WQ.130/2026
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR SOCIAL SECURITY BY DEPUTY S.J. GLEAVE OF ST. HELIER SOUTH
QUESTION SUBMITTED ON MONDAY 6th JULY 2026 ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON MONDAY 13th JULY 2026
Question
"In relation to the Long-Term Care (LTC) Scheme, will the Minister detail what analysis has been undertaken by her department into the following –
- identifying the principal factors behind increased expenditure, distinguishing between demographic pressures and any other factors such as residential care fees, provider charging and the operation of the scheme;
- whether alternative models, including supported living and retirement communities, could improve outcomes while reducing long-term demand for residential care;
- whether the Property Bond arrangements, including safeguards for spouses or partners remaining in the family home, remain appropriate;
- whether the £419,000 asset disregard and other key elements of the scheme remain fit for purpose;
- whether Islanders have a sufficient understanding of how the scheme operates, and when support becomes available and whether improvements are needed to ensure it is transparent, well understood and represents value for money;
and if no such analysis has been undertaken, will she explain why not?" Answer
The Budget 2026 to 2029, published in September 2025, identifies the urgent need for a review of the Long- Term Care Fund as follows:
"Costs are increasing rapidly at present driven by a combination of demographic changes and the increasing complexity of care packages. There has been a sharp increase in costs since the preparation of the 2025 Budget and future costs are forecast to continue to rise steeply over the next few years.
Urgent action is now needed to maintain the Fund. This can be achieved by increasing the contributions into the Fund or by reducing the range or value of benefits provided from the Fund.
The estimates for 2027 to 2029 in the table below include an increase of 1 percentage point in the LTC contribution rate from 1 January 2027. Any rate change will require legislation and a States Assembly debate. Ministers have instigated a detailed internal review of the LTC scheme to consider the way in which benefit levels are set and income and assets of claimants are taken into account as well as the way in which services are delivered. The outcome of this detailed review will be available to the incoming Council of Ministers in summer 2026 to allow for a decision to be made during 2026 as to the actions needed to increase contributions into the Fund and/or reduce the generosity of benefits paid out of the Fund for future new benefit applicants, to ensure the sustainability of the Fund in coming decades."
This review has been undertaken by the Department, and an initial report has been drafted. I will be considering its contents in the coming weeks. I can confirm that this review will analyse all of the areas identified in parts (a) to (d) of this question.
In terms of (e), a significant piece of work was undertaken in 2022/2023 to review and improve the communications package. I am aware that this is a complex area, and I will ensure it is kept under continuous review. In particular, I am very happy to receive feedback and to continue appropriate stakeholder consultation.