The Co-chairs of Learning Disability England have been thinking about the government’s budget and what that means for the LDE members they know and represent. 

Jack, Scott, Kate and Tim share what they think here: 

Some things look good and are welcome: 

1. A raise in the maximum earnings allowed for people getting Carers Allowance is good 

2. We are pleased to see some investment for schools and Children with Special Educational Needs 

3. Better support for disabled people to work is good in principle 

4. Making public services better is good – we want to see affordable and social housing, a strong NHS and transport we can all use. 

We are left though thinking there is:

‘No let up for all the worry and cuts to basic living standards and provision for disabled people on benefits or getting other state funded support. Or on their status in society’ 

We do not think the government have included Social Care as a public service to be made better alongside other public services. 

Our members who provide Social Care services are very worried by the increased costs including National Insurance and how this will affect the support people get. 

We think this is another pressure on families and people who draw on support. 

‘Families are expected to carry on bridging the gaps in services while having to work to survive at the same time. For a community overburdened by Covid and austerity, there’s no sense of respect or reprieve that I can see.’ 

We know from reports and inquires that Social Care needs help to change and enough money to do its job well. 

‘ a concern, is the raising of national Insurance for employers. This will definitely cause many social care organisations to limit the way that people are supported, be this by cutting hours, not employing the right people, no care consistency etc.’ 

Without more money from Councils social care will fail more people and their families but as Tim says here we know councils have had a lot less money. 

Good Social Care Support can help thousands of people with learning disabilities live their Good Lives. 

Read Tim’s blog about the reality of the organisation he is Chief Executive of 

‘We are not in it for the money – but we can’t do it without the money, and there are no more holes left on the belt.’