‘There is much to welcome in the Labour manifesto’s recognition of the change needed to improve the lives, rights and chances offered to disabled people, across employment, education, housing and the need to properly address hate crime.
‘While there is a formal commitment to its long trailed National Care Service, it is still unclear how the proposals will put social care on a surer footing for disabled people, their carers and families. Too often social care plans focus on older people’s care, missing huge swathes of the population who rely on the state to fund their support. While long-term focus towards a solution for social care is welcome, there is little about the short-term action needed to reframe the way public services are designed and delivered in partnership with disabled people, disabled people's organisations (DPOs) and third sector providers, beyond a fair pay agreement – which must be fully funded.
‘Civil Society can play a significant part in co-designing new solutions, and it is positive to see the recognition and plans to work closely with the third sector and others if Labour are elected to form the next government. Only by working together will we achieve the step-change needed to ensure disabled people can live the lives they choose.’