Responding to today’s Autumn Statement, Dr Rhidian Hughes, Chief Executive of the Voluntary Organisations Disability Group says:
‘Today's Autumn Statement was another missed opportunity to provide a surer footing for social care and the growing number of people who rely on social care support.
‘While the increase in the national living wage is a welcome announcement, it is yet to be seen whether the commitment will be fully funded or add even more pressure to already stretched services.
'At a time when charities are having to chase local authorities and the NHS to pay for agreed upon contracts, and are forced to decide between cutting essential provision or handing back contracts, the government has failed to provide the financial security the sector so desperately needs.
'We must safeguard services for disabled people if statutory requirements are to be met. To keep ignoring the problem fails millions of people who deserve better.'