Charities say Care Minister’s claims are wrong…

23rd January 2012

In a letter to the Observer this weekend, a group of 33 British charities has criticised the government’s failures in the social care system, and challenged the care minister Paul Burstow’s comments on funding in the sector.

Last week, Burstow told the health committee that there was no gap in social care funding, but the charities in question have rubbished these claims, and say that the social care system is in “deep crisis”.

The group have stated that although the sector has received additional funding from the government and the Department of Health, this is “considerably outweighed” by government cuts to councils’ main grants.

The group included leading British charities, such as Age UK, Mencap, Macmillian, Scope, Marie Curie Cancer Care, the RNIB, and the British Red Cross.

Michelle Mitchell, charity director of Age UK, said:

“We know by what is happening every day on the ground that older people are not getting the care they desperately need.”

“The care system needs urgent reform and extra money to create a fair and sustainable support system.”

Mark Goldring, chief executive at learning disability charity Mencap, said:

“We know from speaking to disabled individuals and their families, that people with a disability are increasingly unable to get the care and support that they need”

More details can be found on the Guardian website