ICG Chair Mike Padgham has hailed a Day of Action calling for urgent support for social care as a great success.
And he has urged the Government to respond by bringing forward reform. Mr Padgham said: “This was an overwhelming show of support for action and sent a very clear message to the Government that we cannot wait any longer for reform. “The numbers and the emotions on show demonstrated a real depth of feeling and desire for things to change.” Mr Padgham joined ICG Board members from Scarborough, York and Harrogate at the national Day of Action in London. “The ICG was proud to be a part of the Day of Action and hope it helps bring about long-awaited change,” added Mike.
“This was about giving a voice to people who rely on social care and those who provide it. “What we want to see now is the Government respond, to bring forward social care reform and to properly fund the sector so that we can get care to the 2m people who currently can’t get it and pay staff properly for the amazing work they do.
“We need to see some action, especially in the light of reports that the start of cross-party talks on social care has been delayed. It speaks volumes that politicians can’t even make a start on talking about reform, let alone taking action. Social care deserves better.”
The day of action, organised by Providers Unite, a coalition of social care representatives, attracted protesters to a march in Westminster. It called on the Government to review the impact the proposed increase in Employer’s National Insurance Contributions and rise in the National Living Wage will have on social care. Campaigners want the Government to make social care providers, including hospices, exempt from the National Insurance increase or make more funding available to help social care providers meet rising costs. The song ‘Who Cares? ’co-written by ICG Marketing Executive Brian Johnson and performed by co-writer, Ivor Novello-nominated singer-songwriter Boo Hewerdine was performed during the day of action.