Labour councillors took to the streets of Highbury this week on Social Work Day (21 March) to speak with residents about the council’s cost-of-living support, which includes a consultation on abolishing Council Tax for the lowest-income households.
Families across the country are facing the largest drop in living standards since records began. According to the Resolution Foundation, the average household will be £1,100 poorer as a result of the government’s policies during this parliament.
Valerie Bossman-Quarshie, a Labour councillor for Bunhill ward in Islington, said: “What was really good is that we’ve been campaigning locally for the last few weeks, months now with our leaflet that gives people all the information about the cost of living and where they can access extra help whether it’s for their utility bills or pay Council Tax.”
“We’ve been making sure that they know which numbers to access the food banks, the warm banks, they know where the communities, spaces are seeking to go in, just to have a normal life, but have these spaces to support them and reach the ground, get food or get advice. Read to them or explain to them then they can get support from the council.”
Councillor Nurullah Turan, Executive Member for Health and Social Care, wrote a letter to Steve Barclay MP, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on 13 March, asking for more funding to support elderly residents.
According to the letter, a recent national survey of adult social service directors found that 97% were pessimistic or very pessimistic about the financial outlook for adult social care in their area, a 12% increase in just three months.
Councillor Turan said: “The precept this year will raise around £2 million towards funding adult social care in Islington but it’s not enough to cover rising needs and costs.”
“I am urging you [Steve Barclay MP], as the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, to give us and all local authorities the money and the flexibility to weather this storm and build a cost-effective, resilient adult social care system that’s fit for the future and guarantees everyone the level of care they deserve.”
In January, Islington Council’s Department of Education launched a full-time degree programme called Step Up To Social Work to train people to help vulnerable children and families.
Councillor Bossman-Quarshie added: “I think it’s a really good idea. It’s a scheme that allows people to just try and get into social work.”
“It’s rewarding when you know you’re helping someone who needs your help and hasn’t got anyone else. And with people living longer, you can tell that they need that support to have people care for them. It’s really important.”
The deadline for applying to the 14-month programme, which takes place at Middlesex University, is on 3 April.
