Home General Info & Awareness What Does The UK Vote Mean For Healthcare, Social Care & Welfare?

What Does The UK Vote Mean For Healthcare, Social Care & Welfare?

by InvisiblyMe

Typical disgraceful media reporting, typical saddening divides between voters, typical British weather! That’s right – Election time…

I’ve just voted – Have you?

But what does the vote mean for UK society in terms of healthcare, social care and welfare? Those of us with invisible and/or chronic illnesses are quite rightly concerned with the budget cuts and proposed changes for the future. It’s a worrying time, and when we hear stories of how overwhelmed the NHS is, it’s a daunting prospect to think of what may happen. I’ve had so many negative experiences with the NHS over the years and the best part of my 20s was ruined because no one listened, no one cared, no one believed me. You’d think I wouldn’t care either way what happened or that I’d talk down the NHS, but I still fully believe it is a wonderful thing and something that needs to be both protected and nurtured.

I also fully believe that, whether you think politicians spin a load of lies or not, voting is important. It’s your time to speak up, to have a voice, to care, to make an impact on the future. The quiet feminist in me also thinks it is important to value and appreciate the long, hard fight women had to secure us the vote; don’t let that be for nothing.

Of course, what a politician says and what a politician does are usually two entirely different things. But it’s worth knowing what the main candidates stand for in terms of healthcare, social care and also welfare. It’s looking a lot like a vote between Conservatives and Labour, so here’s a very, very brief look at what they stand for :

Conservatives

  • A new Mental Health Bill but with little detail on what this entails other than saying 10,000 more mental health workers will be recruited.
  • An increase in NHS spending by Β£8 billion over the next 5 years. This is against the Β£22bn NHS STP plan cuts.
  • Those with savings/property over Β£100,000 are to pay for their own social care.
  • Those who get at-home care will be means tested.
  • Winter Fuel Allowance will be means tested.
  • There will be a limit to social care, but no figures on what this may be.

Labour

  • NHS Investment and free hospital car parking. This includes Β£6bn p/year for the NHS
  • Stop the Β£22bn NHS STP plan cuts.
  • Reverse privatisation and bring the NHS back to the public control.
  • A new Clean Air Act.
  • A National Care Service for the elderly.
  • Reversing some benefit cuts and increasing ESA by Β£30 p/week.
  • Extra dosh for social care to the tune of Β£1.5bn p/year.
  • Getting rid of the public sector pay cap.
  • Β£250m Children’s Health Fund.
  • Β£500 more per annum for unpaid carers.
  • Scrap the 2012 Tory NHS Act.
  • Reinstate the Nurses’ Training Bursaries.
  • To fund these, proposals include Corporation Tax, the β€˜Robin Hood’ tax, VAT on private school fees, closing corp tax β€˜loopholes’, fat cat tax, being firm with tax avoidance and increase of income tax for v.high earners.

I’m voted this morning with more than a heap of scepticism, but I felt good for voting with an open mind and a dash of hope. I just wish that voting, and Brexit-related jazz in particular, didn’t cause so many people to turn against each other, to antagonise and belittle others for their beliefs and opinions. We need to be together on this and we need a little hope.

Are you voting today?Β 

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14 comments

Anca June 8, 2017 - 1:07 pm

As a migrant, I think NHS is great, even with all its downsides. Of course is not perfect, but UK is on deficit, so spending has to be made careful or it will affect everybody in the long term.
For me other things would be more important, but I can’t vote. Anyway, I’m looking forward for the results tomorrow.

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itsacrazycatladything June 8, 2017 - 12:22 pm

Amen to its “important to value and appreciate the long, hard fight women had to secure us the vote”. I feel ashamed of our history and how women were treated & are still treated today, I hope & pray that the next generation will look back and thank us, not shake their heads in disbelief.

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Rachel, The Invisible Hypothyroidism June 8, 2017 - 1:00 pm

Excellent post on what those of us with chronic illnesses need to consider with this election. I’m on holiday right now so sent my postal vote off last week. When I land back in the UK in just over 12 hours we may have an idea what they result will be!

If I could repost/reblog this article on my website I sure would.

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InvisiblyMe June 8, 2017 - 1:59 pm

Thank you for sharing it on Facebook. I hope you’ve had a lovely holiday, will look forward to reading about it! Have a safe journey back. x

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Natalie Chapman June 8, 2017 - 2:12 pm

The labour proposals sound fabulous don’t they! I just wonder where all the money is coming from to pay for it? I’m afraid I’m in the ‘if it sounds too​good to be true it usually is’ camp ?

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InvisiblyMe June 8, 2017 - 2:39 pm

I was very much of that mind too to start with, but I can see where some of the logic is for most of the proposals (just not the ones involving nationalisation of water, changes to the Post Office, National Rail etc). It’s mostly with Corporation Tax, the ‘Robin Hood’ tax, VAT on private school fees, closing corp tax ‘loopholes’, fat cat tax, being firm with tax avoidance and increase of income tax for v.high earners. Let’s wait and see…!

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usathroughoureyes June 8, 2017 - 4:44 pm

Voting is our great right to express our beliefs. Politicians are a scary lot and how they can say one thing and do another is incredible but then again they are the ones that have to live with their reasons. Great post.

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InvisiblyMe June 13, 2017 - 5:32 am

Thank you πŸ™‚

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dinosaursdonkeysandms June 8, 2017 - 6:55 pm

Great post and will be really useful for people. I was up early to vote on my way to work. πŸ™‚ xxx

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Ipuna Black June 8, 2017 - 11:26 pm

I’m sorry for all the change coming up. It seems to be inevitable. I’m glad you voted. A little step can hopefully make a difference.

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Debbie L June 10, 2017 - 11:27 pm

Wow, our elections have similarities. Please give us an update on this. It’s too bad we have allowed politicians to have so much power over our everyday lives – and health. ?

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InvisiblyMe June 13, 2017 - 5:29 am

I couldn’t agree more, it seems the people pulling the strings and making big decisions about our health and our care are too far removed from the reality of the situation. Turns out, our government is now in a total mess as the election didn’t quite go the way the PM had hoped, so it’s anyone’s guess as to what will happen now! Thanks for the comment πŸ™‚

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Debbie L June 13, 2017 - 9:05 am

So sorry to learn things aren’t as good as they should be. The resistance movement we have going on here is so dangerous….

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TheWorryGames June 11, 2017 - 6:40 am

Very informative post. xo

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