"Actions will speak louder than words": Hft responds to Theresa May's cabinet reshuffle
Hft, a charity that supports adults with learning disabilities, has given a cautious welcome to the news that Jeremy Hunt has now been appointed Secretary of State for Health & Social Care in Theresa May’s cabinet reshuffle.
The charity, which during last year’s general election campaigned for the reinstatement of a Minister of State for Social Care, reiterated that Hunt must act decisively to deliver lasting change to the social care sector.
Billy Davis, Public Affairs & Policy Manager at Hft, commented: “As Secretary of State, Jeremy Hunt would have already had oversight of social care policy in his portfolio. However, we hope that the implicit promotion of the social care portfolio from a Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State to Secretary of State level reflects an increased government priority for social care.
“It is to be welcomed that the Department of Health is now leading on the social care Green Paper, but high-quality person-centred support is about much more than health outcomes. Hunt will need to gain cross-departmental support to ensure areas such as benefits, housing and employment are all included alongside funding to offer the best life outcomes to those with learning disabilities.
“Ultimately, actions will speak louder than words. Hft hopes that Jeremy Hunt will now use his newfound responsibilities to give decisive leadership and deliver positive, sustainable change for the social care sector, and the vulnerable adults supported by it.”
