WBG welcomes Labour announcement of free personal care for older people

Speaking in response to Labour’s plans to introduce free personal care for the over 65s, Women’s Budget Group Director, Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson said:

‘We welcome plans for a national care service, free at the point of need. Successive governments’ failure to fund, and plan for, rising care needs adequately has pushed adult social care to breaking point. It is now estimated that approximately 1.4m people have unmet care needs, a shocking increase of 48% since 2010. Women bear the brunt of the care crisis, as majority of those needing care and the majority of those providing it, both paid and unpaid.

‘We also welcome the commitment to ending zero hours contracts, ensuring carers are paid for travel time, ending 15-minute appointments and improving training and development for care staff. This will improve conditions for the care workforce and the quality of care they are able to give. Supporting local authorities to directly provide care will help tackle the chaos of the privatised care system.‘

Further information:

The Women’s Budget Group briefing on adult social care is available here

WBG response to the Labour National Policy Forum consultation on the NHS and social care is available here

Media enquiries:  Women’s Budget Group

Thaira Mhearban: thaira.mhearban@wbg.org.uk / 07838 222067/ Communications Officer

Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson: maryann.stephenson@wbg.org.uk / 07957 338582/ Director