Erewash MP Maggie Throup has today slammed as “shameful” social care services provided by Labour-led Derbyshire County Council, and has called on Theresa May to instigate an urgent review of the authority during the weekly session of Prime Minister Questions.
Following PMQs, Maggie addressed the problem directly, saying:
“I am deeply concerned that far too many of my constituency in Erewash, many being extremely vulnerable, are having to turn to me for help because they have been failed miserably by social care services provided by Derbyshire County Council.
“Quite clearly this is not just about funding as the authority holds over £233 million of taxpayers money in its reserves.
“The absolute mismanagement of such a vital public service is totally unacceptable, and that is why today, at PMQs, I have asked the Prime Minster to instigate an urgent review into practices at the Labour-run authority.
“The subsequent responses to my question by residents living elsewhere in Derbyshire demonstrate that this problem is not just confined to Erewash, but is more widespread across our county.
“I am now determined to hold the County Council and its leadership to account on this issue because I believe that Derbyshire people deserve better.”
Hansard (Wednesday 25th January 2017)
Maggie Throup (Erewash) (Con)
Social care provided by Labour-led Derbyshire County Council is failing miserably, with serious errors in process leading to shameful consequences for some of the most vulnerable people in my constituency. It is clearly not about funding, as the council sits on reserves of about £233 million. Will my right hon. Friend instigate an urgent review of social care practice at the county council, because the people of Derbyshire deserve better?
The Prime Minister
My hon. Friend makes an important point. The success of social care is not wholly about funding. It is about practice on the ground, which is why we have made it clear that it is important to see integration between social and health care at a local level, and local authorities should play their part in delivering that. This is an issue that needs to be addressed for the longer term as well. It has been ducked by Governments for too long in this country, which is why this Government are determined to introduce a sustainable programme for social care in future.