Streeting: Plan to ban 'private equity sharks' from social care was dropped from manifesto
Wes Streeting, former health and social care secretary, said his plan to ban private equity from social care was removed from Labour's manifesto due to overcautiousness, blaming Downing Street delays and calling for leadership change.
Wes Streeting, the former UK health and social care secretary, has revealed that his plan to ban "private equity sharks" from the social care sector was cut from the Labour Party's manifesto because of excessive caution in opposition and government. In a Fabian Society report on creating a national care service, Streeting criticized the government's slow reform pace, stating that social care became a victim of overcautiousness for fear of Tory criticism.
The policy, first announced in 2022, would have banned firms failing to meet national standards in care, workers' rights, and financial sustainability. A Labour source said Keir Starmer's team removed it over concerns it appeared "anti-business." Streeting also noted that the Casey commission, reviewing adult social care reform, would not conclude until 2028 due to "Downing Street delay," making major change before the next election unlikely.
Streeting resigned as secretary and called for Starmer's resignation after the May elections and is expected to run in any imminent leadership contest. Andy Burnham, also a potential leadership candidate, vowed to fix social care "this year." Streeting plans to revive private equity regulation and create a social care sponsorship body to protect workers from modern slavery.
Other Labour voices, like MP Anna Dixon, criticized the lack of "pace and urgency." The Department of Health and Social Care defended its progress, citing £4.6bn extra funding for councils, a fair pay agreement for care workers, and £723m for home adaptations for disabled people. Baroness Casey's first recommendations on a National Care Service are due later this year.
