Response to Care Bill in Queen's Speech
8 May 2013
In response to the the announcement of a Care Bill in the Queen's Speech, Richard Hawkes, Chief Executive of the disability charity Scope and Chair or the Care and Support Alliance, said:
“The social care system is in deep crisis. The number of older people, disabled people and carers that need support is increasing. At the same time budgets are shrinking and social care is being rationed.
“The Care and Support Alliance welcomes the commitment from the Government to end the grossly unfair postcode lottery of the current system and introduce a lifetime cap on the costs of care. But there is a real danger that eligibility will be set at a level that excludes most people that need support to get up, get dressed and get out of the house.
“Legislation alone can’t solve the care crisis. The Care Bill needs to be accompanied by a much needed emergency injection of funds together with a long-term financial commitment ensuring that older, disabled, seriously ill people and their carers are supported by a fair and sustainable care system."
Notes to the Editor:
For more information contact the Scope press office on 020 7619 2000.
Caroline Hawkings, Senior Public Policy Advisor for Social Care at Scope, explains what the bill means for disabled people.
The bill comes amid mounting concern about the crisis in support for diasbled people. Two influential groups of MPs and Peers are investigating the issue.
Scope has launched the Britain Cares campaign to encourage people to show they care about whether disabled people get the support they need to live independently.
Here is more on the Care and Support Alliance.
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