MENCAP responds to spring statement

A SYSTEM “RAVAGED BY THE PANDEMIC”: MENCAP RESPONDS TO THE SPRING STATEMENT AND CALLS FOR MORE SOCIAL CARE FUNDING

With no additional funding announced for the social care sector in today’s Spring Statement, Mencap is calling for an urgent cash injection and longer-term funding ​targeted at supporting decent pay rises for social care workers – many of who are paid far too little and will be hit hardest by the ever increasing cost of living.

Edel Harris OBE, Chief Executive of the learning disability charity Mencap, said: “Despite promises to fix social care, despite years of underfunding, and an increasing crisis in the workforce, it is bitterly disappointing not to see any additional funding going into the sector. People with a learning disability, their families and those working in social care are already paying the price of a system ravaged by the pandemic – and things look set to get worse with inflation on a steep rise.

“People have told us that their loved ones with a learning disability are stuck at home because of the absence of support. Over 70% of those we surveyed said they spend less time outside the house compared to before the pandemic and half of those say reduced social care support is part of the issue.  Services are still closed, staff are spread too thin, and ultimately people’s lifelines to the outside world are being cut off.

“We welcome the work over the past six months to begin to reform social care, but this could be put at jeopardy by not adequately funding the system now. We need to see an urgent cash injection for social care and longer-term funding ​targeted at supporting decent pay rises for social care workers – many of who are paid far too little and will be hit hardest by the ever increasing cost of living.

“I know that the Chancellor has had tough decisions to make in this Spring Budget and things are extremely tight for everyone. But please don’t turn your back on people with a learning disability and their families, and the social care workers who do such amazing work to support people.”