Fifty charities to lobby parliament on social care reform

Over 50 charities is holding a mass lobby of parliament on 6 March to call for reform of the social care system.

The Care and Support Alliance, a consortium of over 50 organisations, representing older and disabled people and those with long-term conditions, is holding a mass lobby at the Houses of Parliament called End the Care Crisis.

It hopes hundreds of disabled people will come to London on the day to talk to their MP about why reform is needed.

A spokeswoman for the Alliance said: ‘We are entering a key time for our social care system. Our social care system is broken. It cannot cope with a rapidly ageing population and positive impact of people living longer with illness and disability.’

‘We know that the Government is due to announce their plans to reform social care in April 2012. It is really important that we make sure MPs and ministers act now to reform our social care system ensuring a fair and sustainable care system which delivers dignity, independence and peace of mind for older and disabled people and their families.'

The Care & Support Alliance has warmly welcomed the Dilnot recommendations of a £35,000 cap on care costs and raising the means-test to £100,000 and hopes this will be part of the White Paper on social care which is due in April.

The alliance would also like to see the introduction of a national system of eligibility and assessment and a new strategy for awareness, advice and information around care and support.

The Care and Support Alliance is also holding the world’s first ‘twobby’ where – an online lobby for people who are unable to get to the event in London. This will run at the same time as the lobby at parliament.

For more information and to register for a place at the event go to www.carelobby2012.org.uk