TryGOLD- Free

UK faces care timebomb as over-85s are set to double
The Independent|January 29, 2025
The government is being urged to pour more funding into the care system after new projections showed the country is facing a social care timebomb as the number of over-85s is set to double over the next two decades.
- MILLIE COOKE
UK faces care timebomb as over-85s are set to double

Ramzi Suleiman, policy and public affairs manager at the Carers Trust, issued a stark warning to the government, arguing that the sector is “nowhere near ready for this rise in older people” as it is “already creaking at the seams”.

Projections from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that, by mid-2047, the number of over-85 will have nearly doubled to 3.3 million, representing 4.3 per cent of the total UK population. This is an increase from 1.7 million in mid-2022, when they made up 2.5 per cent of the population.

The rise comes partly because of the larger numbers of people born in the 1960s, who would be aged over-80 in 2047, as well as general increases in life expectancy, the ONS said.

The warnings came after the government confirmed earlier this month that major social care reforms would not be delivered until 2028, with an independent commission chaired by Baroness Casey launching in spring.

The government has pledged to introduce a National Care Service – but it is unclear what this would look like in practice.

Responding to the figures, Green Party MP Ellie Chowns warned that older populations have been “left out in the cold by successive governments who have refused to get to grips with the social care crisis we face”.

This story is from the January 29, 2025 edition of The Independent.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the January 29, 2025 edition of The Independent.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE INDEPENDENTView All
The Brutalist and Conclave share main spoils at Baftas
The Independent

The Brutalist and Conclave share main spoils at Baftas

Emilia Perez controversy fails to overshadow the event

time-read
3 mins  |
February 17, 2025
Ukraine and Europe face exclusion from US-led talks
The Independent

Ukraine and Europe face exclusion from US-led talks

A senior White House team is heading to Saudi Arabia ahead of possible peace talks on Ukraine amid consternation that the country is being left out of negotiations over its own future.

time-read
2 mins  |
February 17, 2025
'Crying' Letby is innocent, claims former nursing boss
The Independent

'Crying' Letby is innocent, claims former nursing boss

A retired head of nursing at Lucy Letby's hospital has said the convicted killer is innocent, describing meetings with the nurse who \"cried in my arms\".

time-read
3 mins  |
February 17, 2025
Starmer prepared to send British troops to Ukraine
The Independent

Starmer prepared to send British troops to Ukraine

Sir Keir Starmer has announced he is willing to put British troops \"in harm's way\" on the ground in Ukraine to face down Vladimir Putin's forces.

time-read
3 mins  |
February 17, 2025
Zelensky 'trusts Trump' but says US must ‘hear' Ukraine
The Independent

Zelensky 'trusts Trump' but says US must ‘hear' Ukraine

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky spoke about his recent phone call with Donald Trump and his stance on a possible peace agreement with Russia during an interview on US television yesterday.

time-read
3 mins  |
February 17, 2025
'Something is destroyed inside Palestinians and I'm not sure if it can be healed'
The Independent

'Something is destroyed inside Palestinians and I'm not sure if it can be healed'

Amani Ahmed left Gaza as war broke out and was apart from family for months. She tells Alex Croft about life in the UK

time-read
3 mins  |
February 17, 2025
'I've spent half my life in prison for stealing a phone'
The Independent

'I've spent half my life in prison for stealing a phone'

Leroy Douglas begs for freedom, describing his indefinite term as 'cripplingly cruel' as he nears 20 years behind bars

time-read
4 mins  |
February 17, 2025
FBI to help find Southport murderer's search history
The Independent

FBI to help find Southport murderer's search history

The FBI and US Department of Justice have agreed to help UK police investigate Southport killer Axel Rudakubana.

time-read
1 min  |
February 17, 2025
'Mourinho would FaceTime me to ask what I'm doing'
The Independent

'Mourinho would FaceTime me to ask what I'm doing'

Former Man United star Jesse Lingard tells Miguel Delaney about leaving his boyhood club, ‘what might have been’ with England, and how life at FC Seoul has revitalised his career

time-read
5 mins  |
February 17, 2025
Spurs edge United in truly low-quality mid-table clash
The Independent

Spurs edge United in truly low-quality mid-table clash

Towards the end of Tottenham Hotspur’s 1-0 win over Manchester United, with the game still in the balance, both Brennan Johnson and Patrick Dorgu lost theirs.

time-read
4 mins  |
February 17, 2025

We use cookies to provide and improve our services. By using our site, you consent to cookies. Learn more