In 2010, the UK government created the Commission on Funding of Care and Support “Dilnot Commission” to investigate options for a better, fairer way to pay for adult social care. The Dilnot Commission reported in July 2011 that the current adult social care funding mechanism in England needs urgent reform to make it fairer and allow people to plan. Dilnot also commented that the current availability and choice of financial products to meet care costs is limited and therefore people have few opportunities to protect themselves against catastrophic care expenses.

This report describes that recommendations that Dilnot has proposed in support of reform and awareness, the government response to these proposals, and possible opportunities for the insurance sector.