The record-breaking 2024 General Election has evicted the Tory’s from Downing Street after 14 years. Health and social care experts are hoping this change comes with sufficient support for the sector.
Since campaigning began for the snap election, Keir Starmer stood firm that one of his main priority’s is helping to ensure the NHS gets back on its feet. Whilst this pledge was widely accepted by experts, individuals claimed the Labour leader could have projected more focus onto social care.
With this in mind, this morning we hear from numerous care officials about what the Labour party should be doing next, following their landslide win.
This story will be updated throughout the day.
Jody O’Neil, CEO and Co-founder of Curam: ‘As the Labour party forms the new government, we urge them to heed the advice of its former Shadow Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, who said the social care plans in the manifesto should have been more ambitious.
‘Strengthening the NHS is crucial, but the new government must recognise the critical role of a well-planned, robust social care system. We encourage the government to consider that delivering better care in the UK does not necessarily rely on spending more money, but rather identifying the wastage in the current system and exploring technological innovations which can remove these inefficiencies to release more money and time. Tech-enabled care not only relieves the strain on an overwhelmed system, it also opens up care to everyone, making it accessible for all.
‘The Liberal Democrats’ success last night is a positive sign for the social care industry, as Ed Davey has said this morning that he and his party intend to put health and care at the heart of their agenda. We hope that having this influence in Parliament will be a catalyst for change.’
Kathryn Smith, Chief executive of the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE): ‘As the new government settles into office and begins to make good on their manifesto commitments, none are more important than securing a sustainable social care system, placing us on an equal footing with the NHS.
‘The scale and diversity of social care and support is immense with the value of our sector being underscored during the COVID-19 pandemic. This value must now be recognised in action. More people are requesting support, but fewer are getting the help they need. With demand increasing, local authorities do not have the money to meet it and staff numbers are not keeping pace.
‘We need to empower people with choice, control and independence to lead fulfilling lives. This is what we want for ourselves, our families and loved ones. But we know this does not happen everywhere.
‘The last Labour Prime Minister recognised that there was ‘no easy solution’ to social care’s problems. We hope that the incoming government will grasp the nettle and put social care reform at the heart of their ambition. The sector has worked hard to come together, with consensus emerging around ideas that will change lives for the better and build strong local communities.
‘A social care system fit for the 21st century is in the national interest and the formidable challenges facing the social care sector cannot be a justification for inaction. The cornerstone of future policy change ought to be co-producing solutions with people with lived experience, their families and carers, as well as care providers. Only an inclusive, collaborative approach will improve the efficacy and sustainability of any policy change.
‘I would like to congratulate Sir Keir on his appointment to the post of Prime Minister and look forward to working with him and his government on shaping Labour’s plans for a National Care Service. We look forward to the King’s Speech which represents a real opportunity for recognition and commitment to the change our sector needs.’
Janine Tregelles CBE, CEO of Revitalise: ‘At Revitalise, we extend our congratulations to the new Prime Minister. Our task for Sir Keir Starmer and his party is to take immediate action on adult social care reform. In particular, to ensure that vital respite is properly funded, and that respite funding receives specific protection so that it cannot be withdrawn from those who need it.
‘After years of austerity, the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis the government has turned respite care into a luxury – our ongoing Give me a Break campaign highlighting that of the 4.7 million unpaid carers in England, only one in 129 receive respite funding. Disabled people and their carers have long since been abandoned by politicians and policy makers and are at breaking point. It is high time our new government puts social care at the top of the agenda.’
Karin Orman, Director of Practice and Innovation at the Royal College of Occupational Therapists: ‘If the new Labour government is serious about addressing the crisis in health and social care, it must prioritise moving more occupational therapists into community settings, such as schools, GP surgeries, and housing teams. This will help people stay in work and be able to do the tasks and activities – or occupations – that they want and need to do to support their wellbeing.
‘The Labour Party has said it will commit to “shifting resources to primary care and community services”. To do this, they need to prioritise access to occupational therapy in schools to help children and young people reach their potential; reduce pressure on emergency health services by making sure community rehabilitation teams include occupational therapists; and increase the number of occupational therapists in GP surgeries, which would help reduce both hospital admissions and the chances of people’s conditions getting worse.’
John Tonkiss, CEO of McCarthy Stone: ‘We congratulate Sir Keir Starmer MP and the Labour party on their victory, but the hard work starts now.
‘Labour must use its mandate to ensure older people are no longer the forgotten part of the policy debate, particularly when it comes to housing and care. Many of those aged 75 and over want to move somewhere better suited to their changing needs, but too often they find that they are left with no choice but to move into residential care. The UK needs a revolution in its delivery of high-quality housing suitable for its ageing population, be it more bungalows, retirement communities, better care options or incentives to downsize.
‘That’s why McCarthy Stone is calling on Ministers to swiftly implement the recommendations made by the Older People’s Housing Taskforce and to reform the National Planning Policy Framework to ensure an adequate supply of older people’s housing.
‘Moving to a home better suited to their needs is not only good for older people, it addresses many of society’s challenges – it will help get Britain building again, it will unlock investment and growth, it will free up existing homes for younger people, and it will reduce pressure on the NHS. The new Labour government can help older people to become our silver saviours.’
What’s more, McCarthy Stone is writing to the new ministers to call for them to:
- Act on the recommendations made by the Older People’s Housing Taskforce, which submitted its report to the last Government in May 2024. While the report was commissioned under the last Government, it should not be ignored. It is the blueprint to change delivery rates in the retirement sector from c.7,000 new properties a year currently to meet the estimated demand for 30,000.
- As part of Labour’s commitment to update the National Planning Policy Framework, in the first 100 days of power, ensure that the revisions provide greater prominence for the need for older people’s housing to unblock supply of new specialist accommodation.
- To help older people with the costs of moving, introduce a stamp duty exemption for those downsizing into retirement housing to encourage moving in later life and free up existing stock, plus ensure better access to information and advice services.
- Require Homes England to ensure that 10% of its housing delivery is designated for older people and expand its Older People’s Shared Ownership scheme to increase the provision of affordable housing and care options for those in later life.
James Townsend, Co-founder and CEO of Mobilise: ‘If there’s any group that needs this new government to bring about change, it’s unpaid carers. There are 10 million unpaid carers in the UK. An additional 19 million people don’t identify as carers, but dedicate themselves to looking after family members, friends, and neighbours nonetheless. Despite their number, this group has long been overlooked and undervalued. It’s remarkable that this is the case, given the role which unpaid carers play in supporting the social care system and NHS, and given how highly these issues rank in the political agenda by comparison.
‘Labour now has a chance to show unpaid carers the care and support they deserve in return. I’ve seen first-hand the difference that peer community groups, expert advice, and information about – as well as investment in – benefits can make to unpaid carers. None of us should have to navigate the realities of looking after our loved ones alone.’
Images: Shutterstock and Sava Bobov
More on the General Election:
Cutting NHS wait times, supporting social care and addressing disability inequalities
General Election 2024: Will this be the year of social care?