Mencap at the Conservative Party Conference

Thursday 07 October 2010

Minister for disabled people Maria Miller attends social care event

Mencap, along with the MS Society and the National Autistic Society, hosted a fringe event at the Conservative Party Conference on 5 October.

The event, 'Face the FACS: A fresh start for social care', brought together MPs, councillors, service users and others with an interest in social care to debate the reform of social care for disabled adults of a working age.

The meeting at the Conservative Party Conference was chaired by Max Wind-Cowie, head of the Conservatism Project at the leading think-tank DEMOS. Trevor Phillips, chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, and minister for disabled people Maria Miller MP both spoke at the event.

Maria Miller said that reform of social care is one of the biggest challenges society faces, and that there is real concern about the differences in the way needs are assessed in different areas. The government's Commission on Funding of Care and Support is currently looking at this issue. She also stated that the benefits system needed to be clearer, pointing to the proposed Universal Credit system.

Trevor Phillips addressed the issue of equality and said that most people recognise there are too many people excluded from contributing to society. He pointed to inequalities of autonomy and choice as key areas that need action.

Mencap also hosted fringe events on social care at the Labour Party Conference and the Liberal Democrat Party Conference.

Find out about the Learning Disability Coalition's campaign against cuts to social care