Ministers of the new coalition government pledged today that they would overhaul the current system of funding for social and domiciliary care jobs in the UK.

The Guardian reports that Paul Burstow, the Lib Dem MP and Care Service Minister has announced that an independent commission will be formed to examine the funding of social care jobs in the long term and report within a year.

The aim of the committee will be to devise the basis of a new system for funding domiciliary care jobs and other personal care services, which are expected to be needed as the baby boomer generation ages. "Urgent reform of the social care system is at the top of our agenda," said Burstow. "The Commission on Long Term Care will be tasked with delivering a sustainable settlement, which is a fair partnership between the state and the individual."

Ministers also announced plans to integrate the work of front line healthcare providers with those in social care jobs, as well as to increase direct payments to carers and to extend personal budgets for the elderly and the disabled.

Organisations representing the employers of domiciliary care jobs and those representing the elderly and vulnerable have welcomed the pledge to tackle social care funding.

The United Kingdom Home Care Association's chair, Mike Padgham, said that he was "delighted with appointment of Paul Burstow...and the priorities set out in his ministerial portfolio."

Charity Counsel & Care said that the commission marked a "unique opportunity to co-ordinate sweeping reform of the care system". Its chief executive, Stephen Burke, said that a new funding model was vital to meet the increasing demand from senior citizens and the additional pressure on budgets.