Emma joined double Gold medallist wheelchair athlete Hannah Cockroft and Paralympian Sam Ruddock at an event in the Houses of Parliament on Tuesday, to show her 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 Emma viewed an art installation of the hundreds of ‘I care’ photos sent in from constituents from South Shields
Emma said:
“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 the Government’s Care Bill enters the House of Commons for the first time, all MPs must remember that one third of social care users are working age disabled people. This support is what enables them to wash, dress and get out of the house.
“It is crucial that the Bill goes as far as possible in creating a care system that supports disabled people to live full and 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.”