In responding to the Queen’s Speech today, UNISON general secretary, Dave Prentis, said: “There is little comfort in this programme for the young, the unemployed, the working poor, the sick, the vulnerable or the millions who have seen their living standards fall drastically since this coalition government came to power.
“It’s a typical Tory tactic to distract attention from the real problems we face by fostering a ‘blame immigrants’ culture, instead of tackling the huge divide between the rich and the poor.” he added.
“This government should face facts and accept that its policies are not working for the majority of people. What we need is a programme that will boost growth and create jobs, not one that boosts insecurity and fear and creates division.”
On capping the cost of care, Mr Prentis said: “Capping the cost of care at £72,000 would still mean that most people would have to sell their homes to find the money. The fairest way forward would be to fund social care through general taxation and provide a ‘national care service’, free at the point of need. Doing so would address the issues of underfunding.”
On the OFSTED-style ratings for care homes and hospitals, coupled with more powers for the new chief inspector of hospitals, he said: “Instead of gimmicks and stars, what patients and the NHS need is more staff to deliver care. The revolution in the Queen’s speech would have been the introduction of patient to nurse ratios – that is what the Francis Report recommended and that is what nurses say is needed.”
On council support for carers, he said: “Giving carers for the elderly and disabled the right to receive support from local councils is all well in theory, but the government is screwing council budgets to the ground. Talk comes cheap, but already respite care is being cut across the country and day centres are closing their doors for lack of funding.”
