On 16 March, the Government The Government are the people who run the country. The Government decide how much tax people should pay and how things like the National Health Service (NHS) should work. released a Spring Statement (also known as the Spring Budget A budget is a plan where you look at how much money you have and how you will spend it. ) updating the public about its progress towards its financial goals.
Jackie O’Sullivan, Executive Director of Communication, Advocacy Advocacy is when you get support to have your say. and Activism Activism is taking action to make change. Going to a campaign A campaign is when people work together to try to change something. event with others, writing letters and speaking up are all ways to take action. at learning disability A learning disability is to do with the way someone's brain works. It makes it harder for someone to learn, understand or do things. charity Mencap responds to the Spring Statement:
"Today's budget included absolutely nothing to tackle the dire state of social care Social care means the services that give care and support to people who need it. and the NHS. Instead the Chancellor prioritised crumbling roads over the crumbling social care and health system.
"The extended energy support announced in today's budget is welcome, but the Government should commit to long-term targeted support and introduce a discounted social energy tariff.
"The Disability White Paper A White Paper is a report that is written by the government. It talks about new rules the government wants to make. promises some positive changes for people with a learning disability, like the removal of the Work Capability Assessment An assessment is a way of finding out what help a person needs. When you have an assessment, you might have to go to a meeting or fill in a form. , but as always the devil is in the detail. The government continues to focus on threats and financial sanctions, rather than addressing inadequate benefit rates and investing in supporting people into work. These priorities reflect a lack of understanding of the experience of people with a learning disability.”