The Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling has set the scene for publication of the care and support White Paper.

Giving his final budget speech before the general election, Mr Darling said:

“I have also decided to freeze the inheritance tax threshold for a further four years, and this will help pay for the cost of care for older people. And my Right Honourable Friend the Secretary of State for Health will shortly set out further proposals.”

His Budget 2010 report says:

“The Government will shortly set out its long-term plans for a fair and comprehensive reform of care and support alongside the steps needed in the next Parliament to move towards that goal, building on the new entitlement to free care at home for those with the highest needs already announced.”

And added.. “Budget 2010 announces that, alongside those reforms, the Inheritance Tax threshold for the next Parliament will be frozen, and that a new taskforce will be established to ensure that the reforms are accompanied by major efficiency and costs improvements.”

The Government will shortly publish a White Paper setting out plans for building a National Care Service for adults in England.