New research shows that care homes rated ‘inadequate’ have more state-funded residents than care homes rated ‘outstanding’ by the CQC. These figures reveal an unacceptable two-tier care system, with better off people getting a better quality of social care. No matter where people live or how they pay, everyone should […]
Caring for older people
I’m campaigning for better services and support for older people, carers and their families, and a sustainable system for funding our NHS and social care in future.
Labour’s ambition for social care is as far reaching as Bevan’s was for the NHS
Transforming social care is the challenge of our generation. This was true even before Covid struck, but the pandemic has exposed, more than ever, the urgent need for reform. A future Labour government will modernise the welfare state from cradle to grave, investing in social care as part of our […]
Liz fights for a real plan for social care
Since Parliament came back after the summer, the biggest issue has been the Government’s ‘NHS and social care levy’ (a 1.25% increase in National Insurance Contributions) which they claim will fix the crisis in social care. The two key tests for the Tories about this proposal are: will it work, […]
Liz talks to National Care Association
Today I spoke at an event organised by the National Care Association. Care providers told me that they are desperately struggling to find staff and are deeply worried about what this will mean for people who need care. Urgent action is needed to tackle the workforce crisis in social care. […]
Boris Johnson Delays Social Care Plan Until Autumn After Ministers ‘Pinged’ For Covid
After more than a decade in power – and two years after the Prime Minister made a clear promise on the steps of Downing Street, we are still no closer to seeing a plan to ‘fix the crisis in social care.’ Every day the Government delays their plans for fixing […]
Liz appears on BBC East Midlands Politics
Yesterday I appeared on BBC East Midlands Politics to talk about the big issues of the week. We discussed the July 19 re-opening, and football, and the rumours that the Prime Minister will bring forward his social care reform plans. As Shadow Social Care Minister, this is an important topic […]
‘Back is killing, I stink of smoke, can’t afford petrol and no-one I visit knows my name’
After everything they’ve been through during this awful pandemic, it beggars belief that care workers still cant afford the basics of daily living like petrol to get to work and putting food on the table. Our care staff do some of the most important work in society and deserve far, […]
Sajid Javid warned ‘families have heard enough excuses’ on social care
The new Health Secretary said he would lay out the ‘general direction’ for social care reform this year. The Government have had over a decade to set out the ‘general direction’ of their social care reforms, yet have repeatedly failed to do so. Social care staff, users and their families […]
Liz calls for support for housing with care
Today I spoke in a debate on ‘the impact of Covid-19 on retirement communities’. This is an issue which has received precious little attention during the pandemic. I believe retirement communities must play an big part in plans for social care reform. Retirement communities – or housing with […]
Liz asks Urgent Question on social care reform
On Wednesday, I asked an Urgent Question to the Care Minister about the Government’s plans for social care reform. It has now been almost two years since the Prime Minister promised to ‘fix the crisis in social care.’ Yet, at the start of the week we heard that […]
New questions for Matt Hancock over key data on care homes
Matt Hancock’s claims that there was no list of care homes at the start of the pandemic is at best disingenuous. Family members will be incredibly frustrated to hear yet another excuse from the Secretary of State, and instead of trying to defend his record, he needs to take responsibility […]
Families are left to suffer as Boris Johnson puts off vital reform
After a decade of Tory cuts, the shocking fact is that our care workers can’t deliver services to all those who need it. This provides neither the dignity nor security that Boris Johnson promised for older and disabled people. Almost two years after he promised to fix this crisis, too […]