Learning Disability Coalition
MPs Debate Social Care Services
23 October 2007
From de Havilland: http://www.dehavilland.co.uk/
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Ivan Lewis, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health, said "the current system of social care would not be able to meet demographic challenges and free care for all was not realistic."
In a Westminster Hall debate on social care services, he highlighted the high real-terms settlement for the Department of Health, and the one percent additional funding to local government to address pressures. Calling for all-party consensus on the long-term funding of social care, Mr Lewis stated that there would be a consultation on the issue in January to determine what services should be free and universal and what should be means-tested and decided locally.He added that the Prime Minister would be announcing a new deal for carers in spring 2008.
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Stephen O'Brien, Conservative Shadow Health Minister, found the one percent increase to be inadequate to meet demand on social services and felt that the announced Green Paper would delay reform. He criticised the provision of free social care, citing the experience in Scotland of long waiting lists and a funding shortfall.
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Greg Mulholland, Liberal Democrat health spokesperson, argued that the Government's current spending plans did not provide a swift response to problems in social care.
He called for an end to the divide between health and social care, which created inefficiencies and contradictions in shared objectives. -
Introducing the debate, Sandra Gidley, another Liberal Democrat health spokesperson, called for eligibility criteria to be examined to take into account the ageing population and address postcode lotteries.
Click here to read the full debate.
Tell us what you think - email oliver.chantler@learningdisabilitycoalition.org.uk