MP Chris Vince welcomes extra cash for elderly and disabled in Uttlesford

Labour MP Chris Vince has welcomed extra Government funding to support his disabled and elderly constituents.

The Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting has confirmed £135,923 for Harlow, £145,767 for Epping Forest and £35,357 for Uttlesford as part of an £86m boost to the Disabled Facilities Grant to help 7,800 more people this financial year.

Mr Vince said: “This funding will be vital in supporting people in Harlow and the villages to live at home with the dignity, independence and quality of life that they deserve.

“In the election, I promised those relying on or waiting for care in our community that a Labour Government would prioritise the investment and long-awaited reforms desperately needed for adult social care.”

Mr Vince’s Harlow constituency includes the Hallingburys, Hatfield Broad Oak, Hatfield Heath, Sheering, Lower Sheering and Matching.

The Government has also pledged to support adult social care by using technology and cutting red tape and Mr Streeting has announced a new commission to set out a vision for the future.

The first phase, reporting in 2026, will identify the critical issues and set out recommendations for effective reform and improvement in the medium term.

The second phase, reporting by 2028, will make longer-term recommendations for the transformation of adult social care.

Mr Streeting said: “Our ageing society, with costs of care set to double in the next 20 years, demands longer-term action.

“The independent commission will work to build a national consensus around a new National Care Service able to meet the needs of older and disabled people into the 21st century.”