Without clear direction from the Government, long term care product development may have to be put on hold. But what should advisers be looking out for in the meantime, asks Laura Shanks

The media spotlight has been firmly fixed on the issues surrounding long term care over the last few years. The previous Conservative Government ran a consultation with care providers and the financial services industry with the ultimate aim of establishing a partnership scheme between public and private sectors for the provision of long term care. Then came the General Election. As part of its 1997 election manifesto, Labour promised a Royal Commission to look into the future provision of long term care for the elderly. One overwhelming message coming from the report, which was publishe...