At Prime Minister’s Questions on 15 January, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn asked Boris Johnson why the delay on reform of social care addressing the crisis. Watch video here. What some Conservatives have suggested so far, is even worse than now: A class-biased two-tier system, whereby low-income people continue to get poor-quality care, while those who can pay, or can buy private insurance, get better care (Damian Green). Increased personal taxation to pay for later care (Jeremy Hunt). In England, the charging systems for residential care homes, and homecare — support at home — are different. … Read more
Reposted from News Shopper: “Our lives are being put at risk”: Disability advocate hits out at new proposed care costs By Lachlan Leeming @LeemingLachie Local Democracy Reporter – Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich Greenwich’s scrutiny committee on Thursday and (inset) community opposition gathered at Wednesday’s meeting. An activist awarded an MBE for her work fighting for the disabled community has urged for an independent inquiry to be held into funding of social care services at Greenwich. Anne Novis, who received an MBE in 2011 in recognition for her work advising on behalf of disabled people, made the comments as … Read more
No to care charges increases – WinVisible letter and submission Royal Borough of Greenwich Adult social care consultation 2019 Open letter to Cllr Averil Lekau, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health averil.lekau@royalgreenwich.gov.uk And submission to carecharges@royalgreenwich.gov.uk Dear Cllr Lekau and Naomi Alexander, RBG Adult social care consultation 2019 We write to strongly oppose the social care charges increases proposed by Royal Borough of Greenwich (RBG), including: increasing the hourly charge from £13.35 to £15/hr; increasing the cost of community meals; increased charges in sheltered housing and supported accommodation; and lowering assumed disability-related expenses … Read more
Here is our submission to the Labour Policy Forum to the topic, “Health and social care”. Please comment and like our submission via this link Anyone can make a submission, as an individual or organisation, as a Labour Party member or guest. The consultation ends today, 30 June. https://www.policyforum.labour.org.uk/commissions Women are the majority of disabled people/pensioners reliant on support services, the majority of unwaged family carers, and the majority of paid carers, mainly privatised. Multiple discrimination in education, housing and employment results in low income, stress and therefore greater ill-health for communities of colour. In industrial areas, women … Read more
Here is our submission to the Labour Policy Forum about benefits and employment, done jointly with the Global Women’s Strike. Anyone can make a submission, as an individual or organisation, as a Labour Party member or guest. The consultation ends tomorrow 30 June. https://www.policyforum.labour.org.uk/commissions Labour policy review – Work, pensions and equality Joint submission from WinVisible (women with visible & invisible disabilities) and Global Women’s Strike Maintain commitments in the 2017 Manifesto and disability manifesto, Nothing About You, Without You, to scrap the Work Capability and Personal Independence Payments assessments, and restore benefits. Elaine Morrall, … Read more
It’s a fantastic victory that a disabled mum, Ms B, won against Ealing Council for not providing enough support for her to take care of her son. She took her case to the Local Government Ombudsman. Under the Care Act 2014 section 12, Councils have a duty to assess the needs of the family, not just the disabled adult. And under outcomes (results), disabled mums are entitled to support for ‘caring responsibilities for a child’. But most often, disabled mums face being punished for child neglect instead. This happened to Ms B too. She needed … Read more
Scope’s report ‘The Disability Price Tag 2019‘ shows how disability benefits are much too low to live on (as well as the DWP cutting off and sanctioning people like Jodey Whiting). At the same time, councils and other authorities are wildly undercounting people’s disability expenses, and making people pay more charges for homecare and support services from our benefits. They often leave out some disability expenses, and/or set a low estimate per week, instead of recognising the actual amount we have to pay for things we need, such as special diet, extra heating, therapies, water bill. When … Read more
We have just sent in a response to the Local Government Association (LGA) Green Paper on Adult Social Care. The LGA says ‘We are the national voice of local government, working with councils to support, promote and improve local government’. They represent 415 local authorities across England and Wales. They issued their Green Paper to influence the government’s Green Paper (which is in the pipeline), the government’s spending plans, and to put forward their own aims including to alleviate pressure on the NHS. The LGA are expected to report in the autumn. WinVisible criticises the LGA for … Read more
A volunteer writes: “If you have ever been sectioned on a section 3 of the Mental Health Act (and other sections below) once you are discharged back to the community and have needs relating to healthcare, social care or supported accommodation, then these should be provided by what is called Section 117 aftercare. A requirement by law. “This means that you are exempt from being financially assessed and also exempt from paying towards costs of treatment and care relating to your mental health. Aftercare can include music, art therapy or meeting other people at a centre, if … Read more
The unusual combination of active local people and accountable councillors has made the way for Hammersmith & Fulham to be the only Council in England to abolish homecare charges, abolish bailiffs for debt, get housing estates back from private developers, and set out to change many other things. On 20 June 2018 we were thrilled to join the Hammersmith & Fulham Disabled People’s Commission (DPC) as they launched their report and recommendations to transform Council policy affecting disabled residents. Findings include ‘Many say quality of life has gone down‘. They recommend: ‘Make services deliver what disabled residents want’. … Read more