Over a thousand older and disabled people lobby parliament on social care reform

Over a thousand older and disabled people have turned up to a mass lobby of parliament.

The rally has been organised by the Care and Support Alliance which represents over 60 charities and organisations.

Older and disabled people have travelled from all over the country to attend the event.

The campaigners have arranged meeting with over two thirds of English MPs, while hundreds more people are targeting their MP online using facebook and twitter in the world’s first interactive ‘twobby’.

Simon Gillespie, chair of the Carer and Support Alliance and chief executive of the MS Society said: ‘Social care is not a nice to have extra – without support many people are condemned to a mere existence.’

‘People are living longer with illness and disability and the chronically under-funded system is in crisis.Yet social care budgets across England fell by an estimated £1bn last year, according to the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services.’

‘This is the opportunity of a generation for government to improve the lives of millions of people, and help ease the strain on the already financially stretched NHS.’

The Government is currently preparing a white paper on social care which will be published later in spring, alongside a progress report on how to reform the way that care is funded.

The Care and Support Alliance hopes the mass rally of parliament today will show the strength of public opinion and will be a key element in influencing the Government’s policy on social care.