The Health Foundation responds to Prime Minister Andy Burnham's Labour Party Conference speech
Responding to Prime Minister Andy Burnham's Labour Party Conference speech, Dr Jennifer Dixon, Chief Executive of the Health Foundation, said:
On social care
‘The Prime Minister’s pledge to fundamentally reform social care in England provides a generational opportunity to create a fairer, more generous system for older and disabled people, their families and carers. The changes implied by Burnham would be substantial.
‘The current system is a threadbare-safety net in desperate need of reform. Too many people go without the care they need, deplete their savings to pay for it, or rely heavily on unpaid support from friends and family. Care workers are poorly paid and many live in poverty. A more generous system that pools risks across the population and values social care as an essential public service is needed to fill a glaring gap in our welfare state.
‘Difficult questions and trade-offs will follow - not least how reform will be funded and how costs will be shared. While it’s not yet clear what will be included in the state’s offer under a new national care service, additional public investment will be needed to deliver a fairer and more universal system. But the cost of continued inaction to people and their families is severe and an overwhelming majority of the public support the principle of a greater role for the state in funding social care.
‘Sustained political leadership from the Prime Minister is now needed to deliver the prize on offer – and other political leaders will need to rise above party politics to give reform the cross-party support it needs. The shared challenge is how to turn the positive vision that the Prime Minister has set out into a reality for the people who depend on social care.’
On youth unemployment
‘The Prime Minister is right that we need a bold approach for young people. Nearly half of those not in employment, education or training now report a work limiting health condition. And spending long periods out of a job whilst young can have lasting consequences for a young person’s health, income and future opportunities.
‘Alan Milburn’s forthcoming report must be a catalyst for change. Young people need a system that intervenes early to tackle poor mental health and other factors holding them back from earning or learning. But they also need genuine routes into work, education and training, with ongoing support to ensure that they can make the most of their opportunities.
‘Putting health at the heart of this approach will help more young people fulfil their potential and support a stronger economy.’
Media contact
Nadine Sheikh-Sobeh
Nadine.sheikh-sobeh@health.org.uk
020 8152 8120