It\u2019s not often that the Sense public affairs team watch TV at work, but today is one exception. True, what we were watching wasn\u2019t likely to win any Oscars. Yet the King\u2019s Speech \u2013 which sets out the Government\u2019s plans for the laws it wants to introduce \u2013 could still affect us all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
New laws on sentencing, an animal welfare bill, an independent football regulator\u2026 As you might have guessed from the headlines, the government didn\u2019t announce much today that would have a direct impact on disabled people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Having said that, hidden away in the speech there was a reference to the government bringing forward \u201cproposals \u2026 to reform welfare and support more people into work.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sense\u2019s research<\/a> has found that half of jobseekers with complex disabilities don\u2019t feel that they had the support and equipment the need to look for week. So we agree that the Department for Work and Pensions should do more to support people who are looking for work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sadly, we know from previous experience that welfare reform doesn\u2019t always lead to more support for disabled people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although we can\u2019t be certain, it\u2019s likely that the Government is referring to its proposals to make the Work Capability Assessment stricter. As we said in our response to the government\u2019s consultation,<\/a> we strongly oppose these plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While the King\u2019s Speech promised a transformation of the “long-term workforce of the National Health Service”, the government made no such promise for social care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yet the workforce crisis in social care means too many disabled people are missing out on the care and support they need to lead independent lives. Almost a third of people with complex disabilities have been affected by shortages of care staff in the past year, according to recent Sense research.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s vital that the government introduces a workforce strategy for social care as soon as possible. This should be backed up by funding to enable providers to improve the pay they offer to care workers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We wish that there had been more for disabled people in the King\u2019s Speech. But it\u2019s important to remember that the King\u2019s Speech only sets out the government\u2019s plan for measures that require legislation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many of things Sense is calling for could be introduced without new laws, so we wouldn\u2019t necessarily expect them to be included in the King\u2019s Speech.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The upcoming Autumn Statement, on the other hand, outlines the government\u2019s spending commitments. That is when we\u2019ll hear more about how the government will \u2013 or won\u2019t \u2013 support disabled people to lead independent and meaningful lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And with our new research<\/a> finding that 70% of people with complex disabilities are worried about how they will cope financially this winter, we\u2019ll be engaging with politicians to make sure they offer disabled people the right support \u2013 and holding the government to account if they do not.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are an MP, peer or from government and would like more information about the work of Sense and how you could be involved locally and nationally contact the team on parliamentary@sense.org.uk<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you are a researcher, or would like to know more about our policy research work please contact policy.research@sense.org.uk<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat was missing?<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
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