Home Learning Disabilities & Autism “Our next Prime Minister needs to tackle the Social Care crisis head on”: Mencap responds to the Conservative leadership debate

“Our next Prime Minister needs to tackle the Social Care crisis head on”: Mencap responds to the Conservative leadership debate

by Kirsty Kirsty

When the Prime Minister first announced the Health and Social Care Levy, it was a vital and long-delayed step towards tackling the issues that have long plagued the UK’s broken social care system. But, while the Government has begun some social care reforms, the sector faces an acute workforce shortage and we are hearing that people with a learning disability are finding it increasingly difficult to access social care.

During last night’s Conservative Leadership Debate, both candidates failed to address how they will prioritise solving the social care crisis and support the 1.5 million people across the UK living with a learning disability.

Commenting on the debate, Jackie O’Sullivan Executive Director of Communications, Advocacy and Activism at the learning disability charity Mencap, said:

“Whoever becomes our next Prime Minister will need to tackle the crisis facing social care head on. Many people with a learning disability across the UK depend on the social care system to live fulfilling and independent lives.  While the Government has begun to reform social care, the sector faces an acute workforce shortage, and we are hearing that people with a learning disability are finding it increasingly difficult to access the support they need.

“We must ask ourselves what kind of society do we want to live in? And at the earliest opportunity, both candidates must set out how they plan to ensure that social care has the resource it needs both now and into the future.  We need urgent investment in our workforce, so that people can continue to access the care and support to which they are entitled.”

Image depicts Jackie O’Sullivan, Executive Director of Communications, Advocacy and Activism at Mencap

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