A joint open letter from the LGA, Age UK, Alzheimer’s Society, Association of Directors of Public Health, Association for Real Change, Associated Retirement Community Operators, Care England, Care Provider Alliance, Carers UK, Independent Age, NHS Confederation, Shared Lives Plus, Solace, United Kingdom Homecare Association (UKHCA) and Voluntary Organisations Disability Group.
20 November 2019
Dear Sir,
With just three weeks left before the General Election, it is absolutely crucial that adult social care and support is at the top of the next government’s agenda.
Everyone deserves the right to live the life they want to lead, whether that is maintaining social and family relationships, pursuing activities, studying, working, or living in a place that feels like home. Social care provides vital support that helps make this happen. It also helps sustain our NHS and supports our country’s economy.
For two decades, political parties of all colours have failed to deliver changes to how care is funded and what individuals are expected to pay. Changes to the system would ensure older and disabled people and unpaid carers have timely access to the support they need, in the way they want it, to help them live their lives. This General Election is a chance for the incoming government to finally grasp the nettle and find a lasting solution.
As organisations dedicated to bringing about the changes needed for social care, we want to see a new government put funding reform into action to deliver sustainable investment which supports people’s wellbeing. Social care must be at the top of the domestic policy agenda, and the newly elected government must commit to clear proposals on what this should look like as soon as possible. If this happens, our offer in return is that we will use our combined influence to support the much-needed national debate to help raise awareness of the issues, including a positive rationale for change and the costs and benefits of reform.
The next government has a unique opportunity to show its ambition for and commitment to the future of adult social care. Working together, we can make the most of that opportunity for the benefit of the entire population. This is in the national interest, it must not be wasted again.
Yours,
Cllr Ian Hudspeth, Chairman, Community Wellbeing Board, Local Government Association
Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director, Age UK
Jeremy Hughes, Chief Executive, Alzheimer’s Society
Nicola Close, Chief Executive, Association of Directors of Public Health
Lisa Lenton, England Director, Association for Real Change
Michael Voges, Executive Director, Associated Retirement Community Operators
Caroline Abrahams, Emily Holzhausen OBE, Oonagh Smyth, Co-Chairs, Care and Support Alliance
Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive, Care England
Lisa Lenton, Chair, Care Provider Alliance
Helen Walker, Chief Executive, Carers UK
Deborah Alsina, Chief Executive, Independent Age
Niall Dickson, Chief Executive, NHS Confederation
Alex Fox, Chief Executive, Shared Lives Plus
Graeme McDonald, Managing Director, Solace
Dr Jane Townson, Chief Executive, United Kingdom Homecare Association (UKHCA)
Dr Rhidian Hughes, Chief Executive, Voluntary Organisations Disability Group
Highlighted pages
One year on: the LGA green paper for adult social care and wellbeing
To mark the one year anniversary of our consultation, this new publication gives a number of perspectives on two broad issues: what is happening to adult social care on the ground and what life is like for people who experience care and support; and what the context is to the debate about the future of adult social care and where that might go next.
