Stephen Metcalfe, local MP
for South Basildon and East Thurrock, joined double Gold medallist
wheelchair athlete Hannah Cockroft and Paralympian Sam Ruddock at an event in
the Houses of Parliament on Tuesday, to show his support for social care for
disabled people.
The event, organised by
disability charity Scope, was part of its ‘Britain Cares’ Campaign, which is
calling on the Government to ensure that over 100,000 disabled people do not
lose out on vital social care support which enables them to live independent,
fulfilling lives.
The Care Bill will be
debated by MPs in the House of Commons for the first time in the coming weeks.
While the debate on social
care has focussed on the demands of an ageing population, one third of social
care users are working age disabled people. However research by Scope has
found that currently 4 in 10 disabled people who receive social care support
say it does not meet their basic needs.
So far almost 30,000
people have contacted their MPs in support of ‘Britain Cares’ campaign, and on
Tuesday Mr Metcalfe viewed an art installation of the hundreds of ‘I care’
photos, some of which were sent in from constituents in South Basildon and East
Thurrock.
The local MP commented: “I was delighted to meet with Paralympians Hannah Cockroft
and Sam Ruddock and to learn about how important the issue of good social care is
to my constituents.”
“As a
Conservative MP I am proud that the Government’s Care Bill will introduce a
new, modern law for a care system built around people’s wellbeing.
As the Bill
passes through the House of Commons, it is important that all MPs remember that
one third of care users are working age disabled people and that social care
must support them to live fulfilling, independent lives.”
Paralympic double Gold
medallist Hannah Cockroft said: “I am
proud to give my support to the ‘Britain Cares’ campaign
and to raise awareness of why social care is so important for disabled people. Social care supports thousands of disabled people to do the
things that many take for granted – like getting dressed, washing, eating, or
getting out and about to the shops.”
“As a
Paralympian, I am adding my voice to the tens of thousands who have already
shown us that ‘Britain Cares’ about social care.”
