On 12 February 2022, Pavilion Labour’s GC unanimously adopted the resolution below supporting a National Independent Living Support Service and the universal right to independent living being “enshrined in law”, with the introduction of free social care in England, funded by national and progressive taxation.
Reaffirming Labour’s Commitment to Independent Living (NILSS)
This Labour Party notes that:
a) No one can trust the Tories on social care. The Tories have repeatedly broken promises to publish a social care green paper.
b) Sir Keir Starmer supported the National Independent Living Support Service (NILSS) proposals during his successful 2020 campaign to be elected Labour Party leader and told Disability News Service (DNS) in February 2020 that he backed a motion supporting NILSS which had been passed at 2019 Labour Conference.
c) NILSS was drawn up by disabled people’s organisations, including Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) and the Reclaiming Our Futures Alliance (ROFA).
d) NILSS would provide a universal right to independent living “enshrined in law” and would introduce free social care in England, funded by national and progressive taxation.
e) Half of the social care budget goes on people aged under 65. Disabled people need a NILSS that guarantees free social care for people at any age. It’s not a luxury, it should be a right.
This Labour Party calls on Shadow Social Care Minister Liz Kendall, Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer and the NEC to:
a) explain why Liz Kendall made no mention of disabled-led proposals for fundamental reform – including free social care and a right to independent living enshrined in law – in her first major speech as Shadow Social Care Minister at the spring conference of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services; and would not say whether a Labour government would introduce free social care when asked repeatedly at a fringe meeting, organised by The Health Foundation, at 2021 Labour Conference.
b) Confirm that there is no back-tracking on Sir Keir Starmer’s support for NILSS given the inadequacy of the Tories’ new health & social care levy, the absence of any Tory plan for social care in the Queen’s Speech, reported concerns about cost, the absence of disabled people from “The Road Ahead” and the inclusion of just one reference to “people with disabilities” in Sir Keir’s 7,000 word speech to 2021 Labour Conference.
c) Confirm that Liz Kendall’s repeated references to the need for higher wages for care workers and more support for family carers do not contradict support for NILSS, free social care and a right to independent living enshrined in law.
d) Address disabled people’s heightened concerns following the failure of Shadow Transport Secretary, Jim McMahon, to mention the barriers faced by disabled people in accessing public transport in his 2021 Labour Conference speech, the failure of Shadow Housing Secretary, Lucy Powell, to mention the accessible housing crisis in her speech, and the general failing of the National Policy Forum Report to address issues fundamental to independent living and NILSS.
e) Reiterate that Labour policy on disability issues remains founded on the principle “nothing about you without you”, so that Labour’s NILSS proposals will be co-produced with disabled people as will be any NILSS strategy implemented by a Labour Government.
Proposed by Pavilion Labour Disabled Members’ Branch
Agreed unanimously by Brighton Pavilion CLP’s General Committee
12 February 2022
Brighton Pavilion Labour Party 