Sir Keir Starmer's decision to step down has triggered a pivotal moment for Labour and for the future direction of public services, with Andy Burnham the leading contender to succeed him. Burnham has previously spoken about the need for stronger community-based services and reforms to health and social care, making the sector one to watch closely as the leadership contest unfolds.

The renewed focus comes at a time when more than 13,000 people in England remain in hospital despite being medically fit for discharge because appropriate care is not available at home. At the same time, new research from Sentai, an intelligent digital assistant for independent living that helps older adults stay connected and live confidently at home, found that 46% of people believe neither carers nor those receiving care have enough support or advice, while one in three people supporting an older relative experiences constant worry when they are not there.

With policymakers increasingly exploring how technology can support overstretched health and care services, research has shown that every £1 invested in preventative social care delivers £3.17 in value, with the potential to generate savings of up to £11.1 billion if adopted at scale across the UK.

Commenting, Peter Otto, CEO of Sentai, said: "Andy Burnham has helped bring social care back into the national conversation, and that can only be a positive thing.

"But while politicians debate reform, families are already living with the consequences of a system under pressure.

"Our research found almost half of people feel neither carers nor those receiving care have enough support or advice, while one in three people supporting an older relative experiences constant worry when they are not there.

"The social care debate often focuses on funding and reform, but for millions of families the issue is far more immediate: worrying about whether an older loved one is safe, well and supported when they're not there.

"The challenge isn't simply funding. It's making sure people can access the right support earlier, before concerns about loneliness, falls or declining health become crises that place even greater pressure on families, health services and social care providers.

"Technology and AI won't solve the social care crisis on their own, but they have an important role to play. Research shows preventative social care could deliver £11.1 billion1 in value if scaled nationwide, while more than half (52%)2 of unpaid carers say they are providing more hours of care than they were a year ago.

"Technology can help reduce some of that pressure by supporting earlier intervention, helping people remain independent for longer and freeing carers to focus on the human interactions that matter most. It should be viewed as part of the solution, not as a replacement for the care and support people provide every day."