Speaking to BBC's Panorama programme, which is to be broadcast tonight, Wes Streeting said he wanted to spend more NHS resources ‘through social care because it delivers better outcomes for patients and better value for taxpayers'.
Streeting said: ‘I am convinced we can spend NHS resources more effectively through social care.'
The health and social care secretary was unable to give a timeline on when the funding would be delivered or say how much extra funding would be given but said the 10-Year Health Plan will ‘include elements of social care because the two do have to go hand in hand together'.
Social care leaders warned last week that the sector faces collapse after MPs voted to reject their exemption from an increase in National Insurance Contributions.
On the NHS, Streeting said it was ‘not all about money and you can't keep on pouring ever increasing amounts of taxpayers' money into a system that is not set up to deliver best use of that money and best care for patients and that's why the system needs to change'.
Liberal Democrat health and social care spokesperson Helen Morgan said: ‘This Government's approach to social care is a confused mess. First they say they need to understand the challenges facing the sector and launch a three year review despite these challenges being visible from outer space.
‘Now the health secretary says he does not need a review to act. Of course any new funding is welcome, but the Government needs to stop messing around and get a grip on this crisis.'
Professor Martin Green, chief executive, Care England, said: ‘I am encouraged to hear that the secretary of state understands that if we are going to get an integrated health and care system, there has to be much more transfer of money between health and social care.
‘There is an opportunity for social care to make a huge contribution to delivering outcomes for citizens, and as the majority of citizens need social care because of every health issue, it is only right that the money allocated for health should be used in the most effective way possible, and that may well be in social care.'
