27 Apr 2017

Manifesto commitments must focus on social care and the people it supports

With six weeks to go before the general election on 8 June, VODG is calling on political parties to put human rights, social care funding and the workforce at the heart of their manifesto commitments.

Election campaigns must also be accessible to disabled people, argues VODG – the national charity that represents leading not-for-profit disability organisations – in its election 2017 position statement published today. The group is encouraging people who use services, care providers and their staff to collaborate and unite in the aim of ensuring social care issues are high on the general election agenda.

The statement sets out four key areas for action:

  • tackling inequalities through social care
  • developing a clear direction for adult social care policy
  • supporting the social care sector with sustainable funding
  • joining up commissioning so health and social care support is integrated.

Each of these policy action areas is supported with headline evidence, a policy proposal and a question that people can ask of all the parties and the candidates seeking election.

Dr Rhidian Hughes VODG chief executive said:

β€œThe social care sector is at a tipping point following years of cuts and underinvestment at a time that demand for support is increasing. The manifesto challenges we publish today set out the key areas for progress and vital questions that we should all be asking politicians if we want the care and support sector to have a sustainable future.”