Thank you to those who have contacted me about the provision of social care services for people with a learning disability and the minimum income guarantee.

The minimum income guarantee (MIG) promotes independence and social inclusion. Its aim is to ensure that people who are receiving local authority-arranged domiciliary care and support can retain a certain level of income to cover living costs.

MIG rates are reviewed annually. It was confirmed on 9 February 2023 that the rates of MIG for the next financial year – 2023/24 – will increase in line with inflation. I know the learning disability charity Mencap has welcomed this decision, but recognises that this is only the second time the rate has been increased after the Government froze it for six consecutive years.

This means the buffer has reduced in real terms as income support rates have increased, with many people required to pay more for their care. As you point out, many people with learning disabilities are required to pay some or all their social care costs from disability benefits. For those who are unable to work, this may be there only source of income.

For too long, social care has lacked the priority, attention, and funding it deserves. Following years of cuts to local government and £8 billion lost from adult social care budgets, too many people have been left to cope without the support they need and hundreds of thousands of families are paying 100% of care costs.

Despite repeated promises to fix social care, the Chancellor has delayed reforms for two years. In the meantime, over half a million older and disabled people are on council waiting lists for care and there are 165,000 staff vacancies across the sector. These challenges are being compounded by the rising cost of living.

I support a 10-year plan of investment and reform to put social care on an equal footing with the NHS, improve access, and ensure every older and disabled person gets the right support when and where they need it. I am pleased the Opposition has made improving care one of its four missions of its Industrial Strategy: the first step towards a National Care Service. But this must start with improving standards in the current system as well as delivering better pay, terms and conditions for care workers.

Thank you once again for contacting me about this issue.