Social care expert says King’s Speech was a ‘disappointment’ for millions who rely on care
Jody O’Neill, CEO and Co-founder, Curam
“The omission of any mention of policies to improve the social care system in the King’s Speech today is a disappointment for the millions who rely on it and are facing endless waiting lists and delays . It is a shame that the National Care Service featured in Labour’s manifesto is not an immediate priority for the Government.
“Without an action plan that addresses current chronic underfunding for local councils, lack of trained, vetted Care Professionals, and productivity losses throughout the health sector, the goals to improve the NHS that were featured are not viable.
“Sir Ed Davey has called for a cross-party approach to social care, and we agree that this must be prioritised. The social care issue must be tackled with a technology-driven mindset, applying innovation to make the care sector more streamlined and effective. The result of this, when done well, will be more affordable and accessible care that gives Care Professionals the treatment and reward they deserve.”
GB Energy Announcement Comment from Grundfos
Glynn Williams, UK Managing Director of Grundfos:
“The announcement of the new GB Energy firm is an opportunity to fast track the UK’s clean power goals, and ultimately deliver cost savings for households and businesses across the country.”
“While the beneficial effects of the clean power scheme are apparent, the government must simultaneously recognise the low-hanging fruit solutions already within reach to help cut energy bills fast, by focusing on providing energy efficiency. Lack of awareness around how to optimise heating systems, such as through hydraulic balancing or replacement of old circulator pumps, costs households and businesses a combined £3.1 billion each year. In the coming months we therefore hope to see regulation and funding that goes beyond insulation-based improvements.”
“The principle behind the GB Energy green power investment is absolutely right – the public and private sectors should work together to solve the country’s issues. Nowhere is this more clearly needed, though, than on the issue of energy efficiency.”
Comment on devolution bill from expert lawyer
Laura Hughes, Head of Public Law at UK and Ireland law firm Browne Jacobson, said: “The further rollout of devolution in England has been welcomed by local leaders who feel they are best equipped with the knowledge of their areas to make the best decisions.
“Providing greater powers on issues such as local bus services will help to ensure a co-ordinated approach to transport
“However, devolution has become very fragmented with just over half the population covered by a devolution deal and varying degrees of power handed down to different areas. At the same time, these powers have taken on a degree of standardisation rather than addressing unique and complex sets of circumstances in each local area where devolution is present.
“So while we’ve seen some great examples of devolution delivering transformative benefits to trailblazer areas like Greater Manchester and the West Midlands, it’s debatable whether we can replicate this efficiently and effectively in other places without a more bespoke devolution model.
“For devolution to truly work, we need to get back to recognising that areas will require specific powers to deal with specific issues, and we hope the English Devolution Bill reflect this, allowing tailored deals driven by what the areas want and need.”
King’s Speech announcements fall short on growth for small firms, and jobs within them
Responding to the King’s Speech at today’s State Opening of Parliament, Policy Chair of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), Tina McKenzie, said:
“Today’s King’s Speech announcements fell short on the central challenge – getting growth back into the economy and ensuring wealth creation in every local community.
“Small businesses and the self-employed expected more on these, with their key issues instead overlooked. The Government’s 105-page briefing document doesn’t mention ‘small business’ once – suggesting Labour may not keep its promises to drive growth in the real economy.
“Apart from ambitious-sounding planning reform, there was no sign of delivery of the small business plan promised by Labour in opposition.
“The lack of promised legislation to tackle late payments and poor payment practices by bigger businesses to their small business suppliers is the most serious omission for our community and will hold back economic growth. This scourge hampers cashflow and stifles investment, and we call on the Government to look again and deliver on the promise it made.
“The move from an Apprenticeship Levy to a Growth and Skills Levy will risk small business apprenticeships unless the Government quickly follows up with its promised unequivocal commitment to protect Government co-investment for apprenticeships at small employers.
“Similarly, the Industrial Strategy Council commitment omits mentioning the need for a small business voice, to prevent it being dominated by large corporate incumbent interests.
“At the same time, small businesses are increasingly worried about the developing employment rights package. More than nine out of ten small employers say they are concerned about the prospect of increased costs and risks when they employ people, and there were no commitments within this to look after small employers who will struggle the most.
“It is small businesses which take on those furthest from work and who must be the solution to labour market participation. Small firms must be given the right platform to recruit those out of work, create new jobs, and expand. There was nothing on this today, which suggests early signs of complacency on the need to back small businesses to resolve economic inactivity.
“The Government has before pledged to consult widely and openly on measures it has announced, and FSB will be working intensely on this over the coming months, and helping our community to deal with the more difficult challenges.
“As we look towards the Autumn, today’s speech piles pressure onto the Chancellor and Business Secretary for the Budget where progress must be made to achieve economic recovery and growth. Small businesses and the self-employed can drive this, but only if the right conditions are there.”
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