News Story

Social care: in Parliament

January 26, 2016

Our public affairs work has resulted in an increased focus on care in Parliament. In the last Prime Ministers Questions before the Christmas recess, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn stressed that difficulties in the NHS “are largely due to the pressures on the adult care system…which is under enormous stress.” He also noted the links between local authority funding and cuts to care.

Meanwhile, in the Lords, Baroness Wheeler the Opposition Whip, led a debate on residential care. It largely centred on funding. Baroness Pitkeathley, Deputy Speaker stated that “we are now in the midst of a social care crisis”. She also said that there is widespread agreement that the Chancellor missed an opportunity with social care.

Many, including Baroness Pitkeathley and Lord Warner, called for answers on where the £6 billion saved from the delaying the care cap has gone, with Baroness Brinton joining our call for the savings to be reinvested back into the sector. Click here to read the transcript of the debate

Social care also dominated the last Health Questions of 2015, with many noting how the lack of social care funding is impacting on the NHS, particularly around the issue of delayed discharges. Shadow Care Minister Barbara Keeley also highlighted that the backloading of increases in the Better Care Fund is risky and the social care precept funding is uncertain and insufficient. She asked “why the Government are proposing risky, uncertain and late funding?” the Minister replied by welcoming the announcements in the Spending Review, highlighting that £3.5bn will be raised from the new measures.

Throughout these debates and questions, it is clear that we are making an impact and ensuring that the care stays on the agenda. If you can help ensure our briefings get to politicians who you have links with and want to get more involved in the public affairs work of the CSA, please email Olly parker olly.parker@nas.org.uk