News

Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community Wellbeing Board, responds to a Care Quality Commission review, ‘Beyond Barriers’, into how older people move between health and adult social care services in England.

“The unequal impact of COVID-19 on people using and working in social care needs to be addressed as part of future reforms, as well as building on the importance of closer working and local approaches."

“The Spending Review and forthcoming white paper must set out how immediate and short-term pressures in social care will be addressed, involving councils, care workers and those with lived experience, if we are to build back better and develop a care and support system fit for the future.”

“Choosing care for a loved one is a major and often stressful decision - especially when they have to be made quickly – as it has health and wellbeing implications for the person who needs caring for."

Homelessness is everyone’s business, and councils need the help of health, employment, and housing partners to deliver ambitions to end it.

“Government support packages such as the temporary eviction ban and £20 Universal Credit uplift have been incredibly helpful throughout the pandemic, but with these now no longer in place, a cross-departmental plan around long-term social and financial resilience and homelessness prevention is urgently needed."

“Council housing waiting lists could nearly double as a result of COVID-19. It is vital that the government lifts the No Recourse to Public Funds condition to help prevent homelessness for the migrants who can't currently access the welfare safety net."

“Ending homelessness remains a top priority for councils." 

“People of all ages should be able to live the lives they want to lead and we are pleased the Government is to begin these cross-party talks, which we have been calling for as part of our work on finding on a long-term, sustainable solution for adult social care."

“This emergency support for our cultural and creative sectors is positive and a vote of confidence in their contribution to society, our economy, and our standing in the world."