In Brief: Social care insurance plans mooted
Health Secretary Alan Johnson has said he wants a national debate on how much the government, individuals and families should pay towards meeting the social care bill, which is expected to rise from £12.7bn last year to £24.1bn in 2026 and £40.9bn in 2041.

In Brief: Elderly sisters lose human rights challenge at ECHR
Two elderly sisters who have lived together all their lives have lost their appeal against inheritance tax after the European Court of Human Rights ruled against them.

In Brief: New public guardian appointed
Martin John has been appointed the new Public Guardian and Chief Executive of the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG). John, who will succeed Richard Brook, has previous experience at the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal and more recently in business development for the new Tribunals Service. He will take up the post on 10 July 2008.

In Brief: Review of adult social care legislation underway
The law Commission has announced that a project to review the law relating to the provision of adult social care in England and Wales is underway.