My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Health (Alan Johnson) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.

In October 2007, the Comprehensive Spending Review contained a commitment that the Government would undertake work to look at reform options for the care and support system and consult on a way forward. It also stated that the Government would set out a process involving extensive public engagement, ultimately leading to a Green Paper identifying key issues and options for reform.

Today we are launching a six-month engagement process with the public and all those involved in care and support for adults to set out clearly the case for reform and to consult on a number of questions. This is set out in the document The Case for Change—Why England Needs a New Care and Support System, which is being published today to mark the beginning of this engagement process. The responses to these questions will inform the development of a number of reform options, to be set out in the Green Paper.

This process, although led by the Department of Health, involves work across a number of other government departments, reflecting the fact that care and support encompass many different types of services and assistance. Ensuring effective and sustainable care and support in a society where people are living longer is one of the major public policy challenges of our time. This engagement process is an opportunity for the public to help to shape a response to this challenge.

A copy of the document has been placed in the Library and copies are available to honourable Members from the Vote Office.