Whatever happens with the leadership, Labour must tackle the issue of social care head-on | Heather Stewart

The challenge of how to look after an ageing population has been ducked by politicians for too long

If a new Labour leader wants to underline their determination to wrestle with Britain’s political challenges, it is hard to think of a better place to start than with the creaking social care settlement.

A new collection of essays, to be published by the Fabian Society this week, urges the government – whoever leads it – to crack on with creating a “national care service” more closely aligned to the NHS, and ensure it is properly funded.