Today I attended Mencap’s Learning Disability Week event in Parliament.
Too many people with learning disabilities do not get supported to live as independently as possible. Too many are ‘detained’ in effect in hospital type care, with too little opportunity to live independently but at substantially higher cost.
This issue has been examined in detail and the Government committed to moving people into more appropriate accommodation. But, at the current rate, Ministers will miss the target by years.
The failure of Government to ensure sufficient social care services and appropriate accommodation are just two of the barriers that must be tackled. Sadly, the Tories have spent 13 years attacking both areas and undermining support and cannot meet the targets without new political will and resources.
