While we’re on the subject of issues on which we’d like your input, and on which you don’t have much longer to give it, The Big Care Debate has only one more month left to run. You’ll remember that this consultation takes as its basis the Shaping The Future of Care Together Green Paper, and is looking for ways to simplify care for elderly people, and make it fairer and more affordable.

There are three proposals for the form which a National Care Service could take, and it is on these the consultation is looking for opinions:

• Partnership – the responsibility for paying for care would be shared between the Government and the person who has care needs. The Government provides between a quarter and a third of the cost of care, more for people on a low income. Today’s 65 year olds will need care costing on average £30,000.
• Insurance – the same as partnership but the Government could help people to prepare to meet the costs that they would have to pay for themselves, through an insurance-based approach. As well as receiving between a third and a quarter of the cost of care, the Government would make it easier for people to take out insurance to cover care costs. It is estimated that the cost of insurance could be around £20,000 to £25,000.
• Comprehensive – everyone who can afford it would pay into a state insurance scheme meaning everyone who needs care will receive it free. It is estimated that the cost of being in the system could be between £17,000 and £20,000.

You can read more about the options, and hear Andy Burnham talk about them, at the Care Support Independence website. The easiest way to contribute your own thoughts is probably to fill in their questionnaire.