Sense responds to Boris Johnson's promise to fix social care

“It has been one year since Boris Johnson promised to ‘fix’ social care – and despite a global pandemic causing further damage to an already broken system we have yet to see a long-term sustainable solution for disabled people who need social care.

“Successive governments have promised and failed to find a solution, meanwhile the social care system has desperately needed reform as repeated cuts took a huge toll on services, leaving fewer and fewer disabled people with access to the care and support they need in their everyday lives.

“The last four months have put further unprecedented pressure on the already broken system with disabled people and their care needs repeatedly forgotten - from access to PPE, testing and support. The impact has been devastating, with a 134% increase in the deaths of people with a learning disability during the peak of the pandemic. The £3.2bn for Local Authorities and £850m in social care grants provided by the Government in response is below the estimated £6 billion needed.

“Government must urgently deliver substantial reform and funding for the social care system. Without appropriate funding, particularly before a potential second COVID-19 wave, more disabled people will be left without the right support, and an overstretched NHS will be left picking up the pieces of underfunded care services. Too many lives have already been lost – it’s a human tragedy – now it’s time for action to properly support those members of our society that need it."