The leading association for not-for-profit social care – The National Care Forum (NCF) – has responded to the launch of the Labour party’s election manifesto.
Vic Rayner OBE, CEO of NCF, said: “Labour’s vision for a National Care Service and Fair Pay Agreements are core ambitions for a future government. They provide a central framing for reform which, if implemented, could place the needs of people who need care and support, the care workforce and the wider sector at the heart of communities.
“However, there is real concern that the urgency for reform is not picked up in this manifesto. An incoming Labour government should be under no illusion that this is an agenda for the here and now, not for a future parliament.
“The Labour leader has made much of his desire to serve others in his pitch to the country about why he should be PM. Everyday millions of carers, paid and unpaid, embody the concept of service in the crucial work they carry out. Care and support is a powerful tool which supports people back into work, prevents illness and sickness, promotes independence and empowers people to engage fully with their communities and wider society. All of this helps tackle socio economic inequalities and drive sustainable, and fair, economic growth.
“Labour has hinted at their vision, but we now need it to come into the light with clear details around implementation and resourcing. This must also recognise the vital role that unpaid carers play.
“If Labour really wants change, we need urgent action to create not just a National Care Service, but in reality, a National Core Service. We call on Labour to think social care first because great social care enables people to live the lives that they wish and must be at the heart of any government focused on growth and prosperity for all.”
