In response to the legislative agenda set out in the Queen’s Speech, Simon Bottery, Director of Policy at Independent Age, the older people’s charity, said:
“We are enormously disappointed to see only a passing mention of social care in the Queen's Speech. Social care was a critical issue during the election and now, despite promises of a 'consultation', it risks being swept under the carpet and ignored. Older people, their families and disabled people who rely on social care deserve better. Social care is in crisis, and, while the care system desperately needs more funding, we also need a comprehensive review of how we deliver social care in the future. The new government must now urgently establish a cross-party approach that results in a new sustainable settlement for social care, alongside improved local integration with health and community services.”