Tory contenders have so far neglected to mention our deepening social care crisis

Tomorrow night, Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss will go head-to-head again in their battle to lead our country.

Conservative party members have the wellbeing of millions in their hands, but while the debate so far has centred on tax cuts and Brexit, they’ve neglected to mention the deepening crisis in social care.

While Boris’ Government made strides in the right direction, including introducing a health and social care levy to tackle inadequate funding, warm words and promises are not enough.

Only 14% of this funding has been directed towards social care, and as chief executive of Mencap, I understand why our new Prime Minister must prioritise what matters most and remedy the broken system.

Statistics show that the number of vacancies in adult social care rose by 52% last year, with 165,000 vacant posts as of March 2022.

There are approximately 1.5 million people with a learning disability in the UK who depend on social care support to live a fulfilling and independent life, yet seven out of 10 adult social care service directors say that care contracts have been handed back because providers can’t make them work.

The next Prime Minister must urgently deal with the broken promises (PA)

Behind these statistics are real people who are struggling without the care they need and deserve to survive and thrive.

What happened to dignity, or quality of life?

My colleagues, and others working in social care, put their lives on their line during the Covid-19 crisis.

They deserve better and should receive a wage that reflects the skilled and rewarding work they do.

We know that love and loyalty doesn’t pay the bills.

Here at Mencap, we have just increased our minimum hourly rate to £10.33, but given that we pay social care roles using funding directly from local authorities, our hands are tied by how much we can increase wages by.

We need to see proper investment in a workforce plan and most importantly pay.

Edel Harris, chief executive of Mencap has called for proper funding for the sector (MARC_SETHI)

Only bold, decisive action will help to address the problem (PA)

That’s why the Mirror’s Fair Care for All campaign is so important.

Only bold, decisive action will help the next Prime Minister to succeed where others have failed so that social care gets the recognition, funding and commitment from government that it deserves.

We know that the support offered can help to unlock the potential of people with a learning disability across the country.

Liz and Rishi - people with a learning disability are looking to you. Please don’t let them down.