Social Care Sector Reacts to Election Result

With Boris Johnson’s Conservative Government leading the polls with a comfortable majority, ending the uncertainty on Brexit that has dominated the news for many months, leaders within the social care sector have taken time to respond to the result.

Deborah Alsina MBE, Chief Executive of older people’s charity Independent Age, said:

“Following yesterday’s General Election, we are urging the newly elected government to prioritise the wellbeing of older people.

“For far too long we’ve seen the care people need compromised by delays to fixing the systems they rely upon. We call on the government to urgently implement personal care free at the point of use, to ensure that all older people have their every day, essential care needs met. Reforming social care in this way would help to fulfil the Prime Minister’s promise to make sure that no one should have to sell their home to pay for care.

 “The government must also prioritise action on Pension Credit to change the dire situation where two in five households eligible for this support do not receive it, meaning £3.5 billion goes unclaimed every year. Pension Credit can make an invaluable difference to the lives of our poorest pensioners – many of whom are having to make choices between heating and eating.

 “We look forward to working with newly elected and returning members of Parliament across the political spectrum to ensure that everyone in the UK can grow older with dignity, be connected to their communities, and live with good physical and mental health in later life.”

The United Kingdom Homecare Association Ltd. added:

“On his first day in office last July, the Prime Minister made a commitment to “fix the crisis” in state-funded social care, with a clear plan “to give every older person the dignity and security they deserve”.

“The General election result means that the UK now has a majority government and must deliver on the PM’s promises for social care. This must be wider than simply focusing on older people or protecting housing assets to fund future care costs. It must also respect people’s preferences to live well and independently at home, ensuring affordable and accessible services.

“The new government is likely to complete the UK’s exit from the European Union. This will need a migration system which ensures that social care and health employers are able to meet the needs of our ageing population. It will require the ability to recruit non-British nationals when the domestic workforce is unable to meet demand. Clarity on the UK’s future migration policy is therefore an urgent priority.”

The Independent Care Group (ICG) says the 1.5m older and vulnerable people living without the care they need deserve urgent action.

The Group’s Chair, Mike Padgham said: “We congratulate Boris Johnson on his victory yesterday and now urge him to make good on his pledge to tackle social care as a matter of urgency.

“Mr Johnson said that social care would be one of the things the Government tackled within the first 100 days of taking office, well now we want to see that delivered and we want to see it at the top of the list.

“You now have a majority, Mr Johnson, you now have the time to get social care done, no more excuses, no more delays – 15m people living without care need action now. Move social care to the top of your priority list and get it done.”

VODG (the Voluntary Organisations Disability Group) looks forward to working with the new government to prioritise a progressive agenda that puts disabled people’s lives at the heart of social policy decision-making.

Dr Rhidian Hughes, VODG chief executive, said:

“The formation of a new government presents the country’s leaders with an opportunity to commit to funding the reform of the social care system so that it is resourced and supported to be both responsive and preventative.”

“For far too long successive governments have overlooked the investment and reform of the social care system, including the ongoing delay to the long-awaited adult social care green paper.”

Dr Hughes goes on to say:

“High quality support services for disabled people can be transformative. Now is the time to find solutions that enable older and disabled people to have full choice and control over their lives. We stand ready to help policy makers achieve this vision.”

Nick Sanderson, CEO, Audley Group, said:

“Boris committed to solving the social care crisis in one of his first campaign speeches. Big words. Now he has the mandate to put his words into action and the time has run out for excuses. The new government must stop using the NHS and social care as a political football and be brave enough to implement genuine change. Removing the need for people to go to hospital, reducing the strain on the resources of the creaking social care system, would go a long way. Specialist housing is proven to do just that. We need to bring together housing, social care and health policy to create holistic solutions that actually make a difference.”

NUS National President, Zamzam Ibrahim, has issued the following statement: 

“This morning many students and young people will be anxious about their futures, but NUS’ responsibility will be to hold the new Conservative government to its promises on reintroducing nursing bursaries and the two-year post-study work visa, both of which they previously scrapped. They must also back up their commitment to treat mental health with the same urgency as physical health with additional funding for NHS services.

“This new government has pledged to carefully consider the Augar Review but before this general election they promised to issue a full response to it by the New Year. I hope that now they are back in power this will be done with a matter of urgency, as the funding system is broken, further education is desperate for resources and students are being left to accrue extortionate levels of debt in order to study.”